Listening To Airport Radio: A Step-By-Step Guide

Listening to airport radio can be a fun way to learn about aviation and air traffic control. You can listen to weather forecasts, airport information, and even pilots communicating directly with each other. To get started, you'll need a radio scanner capable of receiving frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use websites like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area and locate the nearest airport. Alternatively, you can use online services or apps to listen to air traffic control, but these may be dependent on your internet connection and prioritise busier airports.

How to listen to your local air traffic control

To listen to your local air traffic control, you’ll need a radio scanner that can receive frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use a site like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area. Use the chart to find the airport closest to you so you can listen to weather forecasts and airport information. If the airport doesn’t have a tower, or only has a part-time tower, you’ll hear pilots communicating directly with each other about their positions and intentions.

If you live within 6 miles (10km) of an airport, you can consider becoming a LiveATC feeder site. You will need a VHF receiver (scanner or SDR), reliable internet, an external VHF antenna, a mono audio cable (if using a scanner), a Raspberry Pi (or Windows/Mac/Linux) and free software.

You can also listen to air traffic control online. However, this leaves you dependent on an internet connection and at the mercy of the ATC audio service provider. Apps and websites tend to prioritise airports and regions that have lots of demand from listeners. As a beginner, try listening to controlled airports that have relatively low traffic, such as Boeing Field or San Antonio International. When you come across an unfamiliar term, look it up on Google. Be careful, though, since the FAA sometimes uses different phraseology and definitions compared to their international counterparts. For conversations in the US, have a look at the FAA’s Pilot/Controller Glossary to help figure out what they’re saying. The FAA’s Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) has a chapter dedicated to Radio Phraseology. It offers guidance on phraseology and standard aviation language. It also explains the phonetic alphabet that pilots and Air Traffic Controllers use.

How to listen to ATC online

To listen to ATC online, you can use an app or website. However, this leaves you dependent on an internet connection and at the mercy of the ATC audio service provider. These services tend to prioritise airports and regions with lots of demand from listeners.

If you want to listen to your local air traffic control, you’ll need a radio scanner that can receive frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use a site like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area. Use the chart to find the airport closest to you so you can listen to weather forecasts and airport information. If the airport doesn’t have a tower, or only has a part-time tower, you’ll hear pilots communicating directly with each other about their positions and intentions.

Some airports have AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System), ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System), or ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) frequencies listed on the chart. These are automated or repeating broadcasts that provide pilots with weather and airport information as they prepare to land or depart.

As a beginner, try listening to controlled airports that have relatively low traffic, such as Boeing Field or San Antonio International. When you come across an unfamiliar term, look it up on Google. Be aware that the FAA sometimes uses different phraseology and definitions compared to their international counterparts. For conversations in the US, refer to the FAA’s Pilot/Controller Glossary. The FAA’s Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) has a chapter dedicated to Radio Phraseology, which offers guidance on standard aviation language and the phonetic alphabet used by pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.

How to listen to controlled airports

To listen to controlled airports, you will need a radio scanner that can receive frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use a site like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area. This will allow you to find the airport closest to you so you can listen to weather forecasts and airport information. If the airport doesn't have a tower, or only has a part-time tower, you'll be able to hear pilots communicating directly with each other about their positions and intentions.

You can also listen to controlled airports online, using apps and websites. However, this leaves you dependent on an internet connection and at the mercy of the ATC audio service provider, who will prioritise airports and regions with high demand from listeners.

As a beginner, it's recommended that you try listening to controlled airports with relatively low traffic, such as Boeing Field or San Antonio International. If you come across an unfamiliar term, you can look it up on Google or refer to the FAA's Pilot/Controller Glossary and Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for conversations in the US. The AIM includes a chapter on Radio Phraseology, which offers guidance on standard aviation language and the phonetic alphabet used by pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.

Some airports have AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System), ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System), or ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) frequencies listed on charts. These are automated or repeating broadcasts that provide pilots with weather and airport information as they prepare to land or depart. If you have access to an airport/facility directory, you may be able to find additional frequencies beyond those listed on the chart.

How to listen to weather forecasts and airport information

To listen to weather forecasts and airport information, you'll need to obtain a radio scanner that can receive frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use a site like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area. This will help you find the airport closest to you, so you can listen to the information you need. If the airport doesn't have a tower, or only has a part-time tower, you'll be able to hear pilots communicating directly with each other about their positions and intentions.

Some airports have AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System), ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System), or ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) frequencies listed on the chart. These are automated or repeating broadcasts that provide pilots with weather and airport information as they prepare to land or depart. You can also find more frequencies in an airport/facility directory.

If you're a beginner, try listening to controlled airports that have relatively low traffic, such as Boeing Field or San Antonio International. When you come across an unfamiliar term, look it up on Google. Be aware that the FAA sometimes uses different phraseology and definitions compared to their international counterparts. For conversations in the US, the FAA’s Pilot/Controller Glossary and Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) can help you figure out what's being said. The AIM also has a chapter dedicated to Radio Phraseology, which explains the phonetic alphabet used by pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.

You can also listen to Live ATC (Air Traffic Control) Communications online via websites and apps. However, this leaves you dependent on an internet connection and at the mercy of the ATC audio service provider, which may prioritise airports and regions with lots of listener demand.

How to become a LiveATC feeder site

To listen to airport radio, you can use an online service, such as an app or website. However, this method has its drawbacks, as you will be dependent on an internet connection and the ATC audio service provider.

Alternatively, you can use a radio scanner that can receive frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use a site like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area and locate the nearest airport. If the airport has a tower, you can listen to weather forecasts and airport information. If the airport doesn't have a tower, or only has a part-time tower, you can hear pilots communicating directly with each other.

If you live within reliable listening range of an airport ( <6 mi/10 km), you may be able to become a LiveATC feeder site. LiveATC provides feeds for many major airports, but most of these are provided by volunteers. To become a feeder, you will need the following equipment:

• VHF receiver (scanner or SDR)
• Reliable internet connection
• External VHF antenna
• Mono audio cable (if using a scanner)
• Raspberry Pi (or Windows/Mac/Linux)
• A computer with a spare sound card
• Free software provided by LiveATC

You can also contact LiveATC directly for more information on becoming a feeder site.

Frequently asked questions