Aviation Radio Telephony
Timezones
It is important for pilots (mainly airline pilots) to be precise about what time they are referring to when they are traveling from one time zone to another.
Zulu time: Greenwich Mean time, based on Coordinated Universal Time.
Frequencies
Radio frequencies have specific rules for use. Some might be reserved for certain types of communication, and some frequencies might be transmitting certain type of information throughout the day.
$25,000 or imprisonment: punishment for misuse or use of a radio broadcast without a license
Frequency congestion: if more than one transmitter is used at the same time
Radio Call signs: are assigned by Transport Canada, often to be the same as the aircraft’s markings
Mandatory Frequency: (MF) located in class e airspace, where you are required to have a radio.
Information is delivered by a flight service specialist (who may not be on site and could be responsible for multiple sites). Call 5 minutes before starting your flight and indicate your callsign.
Class C airspace: in contact by phone, and monitoring the radio. Readback clearances exactly.
TWR: Tower frequency - used by all aircraft taking off or landing.
GND: Ground frequency - for all aircraft maneuvering on the ground
Radio Bands and Emergencies
There are many frequency bands that radio operators can potentially use. However, some are used for a specific reason.
Some radios will also have power limitations which affect their range.
118 - 137 mhz: Civilian Aircraft Radio Band
121.50 mhz: emergency frequency
126.70 mhz: uncontrolled airspace frequency
5 watts: transmission power of a handheld radio - 3nm range
6 micro decibels: reception power of a handheld radio
Image Source: https://itm-components.co.uk/blogs/news/radio-frequency-explained
In instances of an emergency, pilots send out a must alert.
Mayday call for RPAS: if a control of an RPAS is lost and could hit a manned aircraft
$5000, and up to 1 year in jail: false Mayday punishment