Frequencies (Europe — typical structure)

Frequencies in Europe — Typical Structure

Radio frequencies follow a standardised pattern in Europe. This lesson gives an overview of the main frequency classes with examples from DE, CH, AT, FR.

Source: ICAO Annex 10 Volume V, national AIPs.

Frequency categories

1. ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service)

Recording with current weather, runway, instructions.

• Broadcast continuously.
• Pilot listens before any call to Tower.
• Munich example: ATIS Dep 123.125; ATIS Arr 123.275.
• Zurich example: ATIS Dep 129.000; ATIS Arr 128.525.

2. Ground / Apron Control

Taxi and stand control.

• Munich example: Ground 121.800.
• Zurich example: Apron 121.750.

3. Tower

Runway control, take-off / landing.

• Munich example: Tower 118.800 or 120.500 (depending on runway).
• Zurich example: Tower 118.100.

4. Approach / Departure (TMA control)

Inbound/outbound traffic in TMA.

• Munich example: Approach 119.950 or 120.775; Departure 119.950 or 128.375.
• Zurich example: Approach 118.000 or 124.550.

5. Radar / Centre (en-route)

Cross-country in FIR.

• Munich FIR example: Radar 132.825 or 128.825.
• Zurich FIR example: Radar 124.300 or 128.200.

6. FIS (Flight Information Service)

One radio sector with FIS per FIR.

• Munich Information: 123.300 (in the north) and others.
• Zurich Information: 124.700.
• Vienna Information: 118.525.

Example frequencies of major airports

Germany — major airports

Switzerland

Austria

France

Small fields and sport aerodromes

"Radio" / "Information"

Self-radio or AFIS:

• Frequencies typically 119.xxx or 122.xxx.
• Examples: 122.900, 130.650, 130.950 etc.
• In Germany: usually 120.xxx or 130.xxx.

"Glider Common"

• 123.500 MHz: international Glider Common.
• Self-radio at competition fields.

Emergency frequencies

121.500 MHz — international emergency

• Listen watch mandatory for ground stations.
• ELT (emergency locator transmitter) transmits here.
• On radio failure on primary frequency: try 121.500.

Other emergency frequencies

• 243.000 MHz (military emergency, UHF).
• 406 MHz (ELT digital, not voice).

Air-to-air and special frequencies

• 123.450 MHz: air-to-air, informal pilot-to-pilot.
• 123.500 MHz: Glider Common.
• 131.800 MHz: company / operations.

Frequency planning during flight

Pre-flight

• Collect all relevant frequencies from AIP or VFR chart.
• Enter in PLOG.
• GPS database should contain all current frequencies.

In flight

• Active and standby held in parallel.
• Next frequency prepared as standby before switching.

Frequency-change routine

1. Current frequency: "Munich Information, Romeo Alpha, switching to Bremen Information 124.75, goodbye."
2. Physically switch frequency.
3. New frequency: "Bremen Information, Romeo Alpha, Cessna 172, level 5500 ft, en-route Stuttgart to Hamburg, request flight information service."

Frequency awareness

• 8.33 kHz vs 25 kHz: modern EU frequencies are 8.33 kHz structured.
• Older radio: only 25 kHz steps → may not access all modern channels.
• Check POH and radio certification.

Cross-reference

• Subject 060 Lesson "VOR" and "NDB": radio nav frequencies.
• Subject 010: airspaces and corresponding ATC units.