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I'm in the process of buying a handheld radio as a backup for when I go flying. According to the owner's manual, I'd need a ground station license to operate it when I'm not actually in an airplane, and to fill out FCC Form 406. But, I can't find any information on a "Form 406" on the FAA's website, and the online application has five different options that seem to be aviation-related ("AA - Aviation Auxiliary Group", "AC - Aircraft", "AF - Aeronautical and Fixed", "CA - Commercial Air-ground Radiotelephone", and "CG - General Aviation Air-ground Radiotelephone"), and I can't figure out which one is applicable.

So, if I wanted to use my shiny new aviation radio on the ground, legally speaking, what license would I need?

(I already have a Restricted Radiotelephone license, if that helps.)

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  • $\begingroup$ Why do you need to use it outside of an aircraft? Just to chat? Or just to listen? $\endgroup$
    – Ron Beyer
    Jan 11 at 18:15
  • $\begingroup$ @RonBeyer I actually can't think of a reason right now why I might need to do so (other than maybe a one-time test). I just like having the option. $\endgroup$
    – HiddenWindshield
    Jan 11 at 19:05
  • $\begingroup$ @RonBeyer - I’ve always wondered if a CFI at a non-towered field would find it useful to be able to use a handheld while their student solos. I know that parachute drop zones have airband ground radios. And, of course, FBOs have them. What about an individual? Just curious. $\endgroup$
    – Dean F.
    Jan 11 at 19:11
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    $\begingroup$ Listening probably doesn't require a license, the problem is if you want to talk. FBO's have unicom and are probably allowed under some FAA/FCC rule without the license. If you want to test the radio, sit in the airplane, it's a better test anyway. If you really want the license, I think you need the "CG" version. $\endgroup$
    – Ron Beyer
    Jan 11 at 21:37
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    $\begingroup$ There is an FCC form 601, which says it replaces form 406 (and many more) $\endgroup$
    – DeltaLima
    Jan 12 at 22:34
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Part 87, more properly 47 CFR § 87 defines many different types of stations that use the FCC's "Aviation Services" (the legal use of radios on aviation bands in the US). See 47 CFR § 87.5 - Definitions. Here are some examples:

Aeronautical advisory station (unicom). An aeronautical station used for advisory and civil defense communications primarily with private aircraft stations.

Aeronautical enroute station. An aeronautical station which communicates with aircraft stations in flight status or with other aeronautical enroute stations.

Aeronautical multicom station. An aeronautical station used to provide communications to conduct the activities being performed by, or directed from, private aircraft.

Aeronautical search and rescue station. An aeronautical station for communication with aircraft and other aeronautical search and rescue stations pertaining to search and rescue activities with aircraft.

[I'll skip a few...]

Aircraft station. A mobile station in the aeronautical mobile service other than a survival craft station, located on board an aircraft.

[There are several more.]

So before you apply, you'll need to know exactly what kind of station license you're applying for.

Section 87.18 says, "An aircraft station is licensed by rule and does not need an individual license issued by the FCC if the aircraft station is not required by statute, treaty, or agreement to which the United States is signatory to carry a radio, and the aircraft station does not make international flights or communications."

So you use your shiny new radio in an aircraft without a license, as long as you don't plan to cross any borders. However, if you don't have a license and you want to test your radio, then you should probably be testing it from inside an aircraft. (Take my advice with a healthy dose of skepticism, because I'm not a lawyer.)

On the other hand, Section 87.47 says, "A person may apply for a portable aircraft radio station license if the need exists to operate the same station on more than one U.S. aircraft." So if you want to use your shiny new radio in more than one aircraft, then you may apply for a portable aircraft radio station license.

The way to apply for any of the Aviation Services licenses (besides the basic aircraft station license for which no license is required) is to register with the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS), and then file a license application electronically there, which will be the equivalent of the old Form 601. Depending on how you applied for your restricted radiotelephone license, you may already have the FRN (Federal Registration Number) to use with the ULS.

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This is the same as when using an aviation radio inside the airplane. The operator of the aviation handheld radio does not need a license to operate the radio within the US. You only need a license to operate outside of the US.

And it would also be the same Restricted Radiotelephone license you already have.

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    $\begingroup$ Welcome to aviation.SE! Do you have a source for this? 47 CFR 87.18 says that aircraft stations don't need a license, but I don't see the same exemption for ground stations. $\endgroup$
    – Pondlife
    Jul 20 at 17:07

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