SCANNING: Using a mobile app to aid aviation monitoring

Team up technology to learn more about what you are hearing on your scanner

There are quite a few facets of aviation monitoring. The most common is civilian aircraft — listening to both commercial and private aircraft as they crisscross the sky day and night. Most of these communications are in the 118-137 MHz band in AM mode.

A Boeing 777 is seen landing as pilots communicate over VHF frequencies. | Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Another aspect is military aviation monitoring, which involves tuning in aircraft operated by the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard in their 225-400 MHz band in AM mode.

Another one that I have engaged in for decades is monitoring medical helicopters en route to accident scenes or transporting patients to trauma centers. While some of these communications may take place in the civilian aircraft band, most occur on public safety narrowband FM frequencies on VHF or UHF. Let’s take a look at a way that can help you listen to flights, just knowing they are overhead.

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