Let’s say you’re in class G and doing some aerobatics. Is there any standard frequency you might use (perhaps MULTICOM on 122.9?) to communicate your intentions?
Assume you’re not using flight following and that you’re VFR.
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Sign up to join this communityLet’s say you’re in class G and doing some aerobatics. Is there any standard frequency you might use (perhaps MULTICOM on 122.9?) to communicate your intentions?
Assume you’re not using flight following and that you’re VFR.
I'm not aware of any regulation or AIM entry that specifies what frequency to be on.
I use the UNICOM frequency of the nearest airport when I'm out looping because I consider it to be the frequency most likely to be used by traffic near me.
It also has a mild safety benefit -- if something on my plane were to break, I'd already be on the right frequency for the airport I'm about to inhabit.
MULTICOM is used when operating in the vicinity of an airport that has no tower, no FSS, and no UNICOM so wouldn't be appropriate here.
There is an air-to-air frequency (122.75) but most pilots don't monitor it unless they have a specific reason to (i.e. someone else that they want to talk to).1
You can listen to the closest airport or approach control frequency, but that would only help if the other aircraft is on the same frequency.
In short, there isn't a good option for this, and in my opinion, unless you have a spotter watching for traffic in the area it would be pretty hard to do safely since it will be very hard for you to watch the area for traffic while doing aerobatics. Other pilots may also have a hard time spotting you because you could be approaching from odd angles.
If you can get flight following, I would highly recommend it, but there is an even better option:
Practice in an Aerobatic Practice Area. See Where Do Airshow Pilots Practice? for more specifics on this. Not only would ATC and airports in the area know where you were, but a NOTAM is issued any time that it is active to warn pilots transitioning the area.
1 See Services Available To Pilots for more details on communication frequencies.
As far as I can tell, according to the AIM 4-1-11 you should use 122.9, which is described as follows (my emphasis):
(MULTICOM FREQUENCY) Activities of a temporary, seasonal, emergency nature or search and rescue, as well as, airports with no tower, FSS, or UNICOM.
The words "as well as" indicate that it isn't just for use around airports, and aerobatic practice certainly sounds like a "temporary" activity. Of course, flight following would be preferable if it's available.