Listen To Airport Towers: A Guide To Air Traffic Chatter

If you're interested in listening to air traffic control (ATC) communications, there are a few ways to do so. You can use an online service, which is as simple as opening an app or website, but this leaves you dependent on an internet connection and at the mercy of the ATC audio service provider. Alternatively, you can use a handheld receiver, which frees you from needing an internet connection and allows you to listen to local traffic outside of LiveATC's coverage, although the range is limited to roughly 30 miles and you need to be within line-of-sight of the ATC tower.

Using a handheld receiver

If you're interested in listening to local traffic, a handheld receiver is a good option. This will free you from being tied down to a reliable internet connection and allow you to operate in areas outside of LiveATC's coverage. The range of a handheld receiver is limited to roughly 30 miles, and you will need to be within line-of-sight of the ATC tower. This means that buildings, terrain, and weather will block signals, so consider your environment before going this route. If you live in a mountain range, a radio receiver likely won't work. Most handheld scanners operate similarly to a standard AM/FM radio.

To listen to airport towers using a handheld receiver, 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. If you are within reliable listening range (6 mi/10 km) of an airport, you can consider becoming a LiveATC feeder site. If you live close but don't have the equipment, you may qualify for loaner equipment.

To find the airport you're looking for, you can enter the ICAO or IATA code for the airport into LiveATC. If you don't know the code, you can look it up in the FAA's airport database. You can also use the box labelled "Site-wide search" on LiveATC. During cruise flight, aircraft are in contact with ATC centres that cover large areas, known as Air Route Traffic Control Centres (ARTCCs) in the US. If you want to listen to these frequencies, you need an ARTCC code, which can be found on the FAA website.

Listening to air traffic control communication can be interesting, especially during rush hour. Live audio feeds are also good for student pilots to get used to the standard phraseology of ground control, tower, etc., at various speeds. As one flight instructor used to say: "radio work is half the job of a pilot!", especially in a busy corridor of the USA.

Using an online service

To use an online service, simply open the app or website and enter the ICAO or IATA code for the airport you want to listen to. If you don't know the code, you can look it up in the FAA's airport database or use the "Site-wide search" box on LiveATC. During cruise flight, aircraft are in contact with ATC centres that cover large areas, known as Air Route Traffic Control Centres (ARTCCs) in the US. To listen to these frequencies, you'll need an ARTCC code, which you can find on the FAA website.

The biggest drawback of using an online service is that it relies on a stable internet connection. Additionally, you may find that some airports or regions are prioritised over others due to higher demand from listeners.

Online services are a convenient way to listen to airport towers, but it's important to be aware of the limitations, such as internet connectivity and potential prioritisation of certain locations.

Using LiveATC

LiveATC is a service that allows you to listen to live air traffic control (ATC) radio communication from airports around the world. To use LiveATC, you can either use the website or download the app. You will need to enter the ICAO or IATA code for the airport you want to listen to, which you can find on the FAA's airport database. If you don't know the code, you can use the "Site-wide search" box on LiveATC.

LiveATC relies on an internet connection, so if you want to listen to ATC without an internet connection, you can use a handheld receiver. This will only work if you are within 30 miles of the ATC tower and have a line of sight to it. Buildings, terrain, and weather can block signals, so consider your environment before choosing this option. If you live in a mountain range, a radio receiver likely won't work.

Using a Raspberry Pi

To listen to airport tower communications, you can use a Raspberry Pi. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, make sure you have the necessary equipment: a Raspberry Pi, a VHF receiver (scanner or SDR), a reliable internet connection, an external VHF antenna, and a mono audio cable (if using a scanner). You can also use Windows, Mac, or Linux instead of a Raspberry Pi.

Next, find the ICAO or IATA code for the airport you want to listen to. You can look up the code in the FAA's airport database or use the "Site-wide search" box on LiveATC. If you're interested in listening to Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) frequencies during cruise flight, you'll need an ARTCC code, which you can also find on the FAA website.

Once you have the code, open the LiveATC website or app and enter the code in the search box. Select the channel that's streaming the frequency you want to listen to.

If you're within reliable listening range (less than 6 miles or 10 km) of an airport, you can also consider becoming a LiveATC feeder site. This option may be suitable if you live close to an airport but don't have the necessary equipment, as you may qualify for loaner equipment. Contact LiveATC for further information.

It's worth noting that online services like LiveATC depend on an internet connection and may prioritise airports and regions with high listener demand. Additionally, if you're only interested in listening to local traffic and don't want to rely on an internet connection, a handheld receiver is an option. However, the range is limited to approximately 30 miles, and you must be within line-of-sight of the ATC tower, considering any potential signal blocks from buildings, terrain, or weather.

Using a radio receiver

You can listen to the airport tower with a standard radio receiver, but using a dedicated aviation radio or a scanner radio is recommended for better reception and clarity. These devices often have pre-programmed frequencies for ATC, making it easier to find the airport's tower frequency.

The equipment should be capable of tuning into the designated frequencies allocated for airport communications. This includes handheld radios, mobile radios, or aviation-grade communication devices. If you're only interested in listening to local traffic, a handheld receiver is a good option. It frees you from needing a reliable internet connection and has a range of about 30 miles. However, you'll need to be within line-of-sight of the ATC tower, so consider your environment. If you live in a mountain range, a radio receiver likely won't work.

To listen to your local air traffic control, you'll need a radio scanner capable of receiving frequencies between 118.0 and 136.975 MHz. You can then use sites like skyvector.com to find an aeronautical sectional chart of your local area and locate the nearest airport. Each airport has its own unique communication system, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with the specific protocols and frequencies used by the airport's control tower. This information can usually be found in the airport's official documentation or by contacting the ATC department.

The airport tower's frequency is typically active 24/7, but the volume of traffic may vary depending on the time of day. Checking the airport's website or contacting the control tower can help you estimate the busiest times to capture the most relevant communications.

Frequently asked questions