Aeronautical service

Learn more about aeronautical radiocommunications used in aircrafts (such as airplanes, helicopters, etc.) as well as air traffic control towers, radionavigation stations or similar stations.

Overview of the aeronautical service

Aeronautical service bands are used for communications by civil aviation individuals, communities, government departments and agencies to establish communications between aircraft and ground stations or provide navigational information to pilots and/or ground control centres (air traffic control towers) to ensure the safety and regularity of flights in the airspace.

Examples of licence holders in the aeronautical radiocommunication service include Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, airport authorities, and individuals and organizations that wish to use radio frequencies to communicate with other aircraft and land-based stations.

There are three types of aeronautical radio station licences, two of which are located under the aeronautical service: aeronautical stations on land called Aeronautical Base and aeronautical stations on board aircraft called Aeronautical Mobile. The third aeronautical radio station licence is for a land mobile station, called Mobile Only.

- Aeronautical Base
- Aeronautical Base is defined as a fixed station that operates in the aeronautical service. This type of station cannot be used while in motion.
- Aeronautical Mobile
- Aeronautical Mobile (or Aircraft Station) is defined as a mobile station, including a hand-held radio that is installed or operates only on board an aircraft.
- Mobile Only
- Mobile Only is a ground-based portable radio, which is not installed or operated on board an aircraft, that has a requirement to communicate with the aircraft or other aeronautical stations in the aeronautical mobile service (AMS) band.

Find out more about the aeronautical service and the requirements for operation: RBR-1 — Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Aeronautical Service

Important to know

Operating a radio on aeronautical service frequencies means you also require a Restricted Operator Certificate - Aeronautical (ROC-A).

For more information on this certificate, see: Radio operator certificates
Radio licences in the aeronautical service exclude spacecrafts such as satellites.

For more information on approvals and authorizations for satellites, see: Satellite spectrum licences
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) also provides developmental licences that allow individuals or organizations to experiment with and develop new radio technologies.

For more information, see: Developmental service

Ready to get started?

Use the following options to apply for or manage a radio licence in the Spectrum Management System (SMS).

Apply

Apply for an aeronautical radio licence.

Manage

Modify or cancel an aeronautical radio licence.

Not sure how to proceed?

Our interactive questionnaire will help you determine how to proceed with your application for a radio licence.

Start questionnaire

1. Is your licence request for a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), unmanned aeronautical vehicle (UAV) or drone?

1a. No
2. Do both of the following criteria apply to your licence request?
- the aircraft in this licence request will be operated only in the sovereign airspace of Canada
- the radio equipment on board the aircraft is only capable of operating on frequencies that are allocated for aeronautical mobile communications or aeronautical radio navigation
  - verify whether the frequencies you will use are in the aeronautical mobile band by referring to RBR-1 — Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Aeronautical Service
If so, an exemption may apply. Note that other criteria could also result in an exemption applying. Refer to section 15.1 of the Radiocommunication Regulations for the full text of the exemption.
- 2a. No, neither of the two criteria apply and those listed in section 15.1 of the Regulations do not apply
  3. Is your licence request for a radio to be operated on aeronautical service frequencies and the radio will be installed or operated on board an aircraft such as those listed below?
  
  airplane
  
  helicopter
  
  glider
  
  hot air balloon
  
  other type of aircraft
  - 3a. No
    
    4. Is your request for a radio to be operated on aeronautical service frequencies in a mobile station (other than an aircraft) such as those listed below?
    
    company operations at an airport or aerodrome facility
    
    for airport or aerodrome facility providers
    
    company operations communicating with airport or aerodrome facilities
    
    4a. No
    
    5. Does your aircraft radio require communication with services outside aeronautical service frequencies, such as but not limited to the land mobile service (i.e. public safety, forestry, mining)?
    
    5a. No
    
    6. Is your request for a radio to be operated on aeronautical service frequencies in a fixed station such as those listed below?
    
    air traffic control tower
    
    ground-based radionavigation stations (Navaids)
    
    company operations at an airport or aerodrome facility
    
    for airport or aerodrome facility provider
    
    company operations communicating with airport or aerodrome facilities
    
    Note: If you are looking to apply for a radar or similar systems, please refer to Radiodetermination service.
    
    6a. No
    
    6b. Yes
    
    5b. Yes
    
    4b. Yes, the request is for a radio to be operated on aeronautical service frequencies in a mobile station (other than an aircraft)
  - 3b. Yes, the request is for a radio to be operated on aeronautical service frequencies and the radio is installed or operated on board an aircraft such as those listed
- 2b. Yes, both criteria apply or other criteria from section 15.1 the Regulations apply
1b. Yes, the request is for an RPAS, UAV or drone

Contact ISED

We recommend that you contact your local Spectrum Management District Office for further instructions.

Licensing exemptions for aircraft radio stations

You do not require a licence for an aircraft that is only operated in Canadian airspace, and the radio equipment on board this aircraft is only capable of operating on frequencies allocated for aeronautical mobile communications or aeronautical radio navigation.

See Exemptions for more information.

Note: You need a Radio Operator Certificate to operate a radio on board an aircraft. Learn more at Radio operator certificates.

You require a licence for an Aeronautical Mobile station

Click the button below to apply for a licence.

Note that you must have previously registered before using the Spectrum Management System (SMS). If you have not done so already, Register to use the SMS to get your Web Profile.

When you apply for a licence, the following documents may be required at the time of submission:

Letter of authority (if submitting on behalf of someone else)
Letter of authority (if required to use a third party’s frequency (i.e. from NAV CANADA))

To learn more about radio licences, consult our Radio licensing page.

See How to apply for a radio licence for information on how to apply for a licence.

Apply for: Aeronautical Mobile

Be informed

ISED has published several procedures, policies and standards that apply to licensing. Consult our Official Publications page to see if there is additional information that could be relevant to you.

You require a licence for a Land Mobile (Mobile Only) station in the aeronautical service

Click the button below to apply for a licence.

Note that you must have previously registered before using the Spectrum Management System (SMS). If you have not done so already, Register to use the SMS to get your Web Profile.

To learn more about radio licences, consult our Radio licensing page.

See How to apply for a radio licence for information on how to apply for a licence.

Apply for: Land Mobile (Mobile Only)

Be informed

ISED has published several procedures, policies and standards that apply to licensing. Consult our Official Publications page to see if there is additional information that could be relevant to you.

You may require additional licensing, contact ISED

We recommend that you contact your local Spectrum Management District Office for further instructions.

You require a licence for an Aeronautical Base station

Click the button below to apply for a licence.

Note that you must have previously registered before using the Spectrum Management System (SMS). If you have not done so already, Register to use the SMS to get your Web Profile.

When you apply for a licence, the following documents may be required at the time of submission:

Letter of authority (if submitting on behalf of someone else)
Letter of authority (if required to use a third party’s frequency (i.e. from NAV CANADA))

To learn more about radio licences, consult our Radio licensing page.

See How to apply for a radio licence for information on how to apply for a licence.

Apply for: Aeronautical Base

Be informed

ISED has published several procedures, policies and standards that apply to licensing. Consult our Official publications page to see if there is additional information that could be relevant to you.

We also have a Spectrum Allocation Tool you can use to find information about specific bands or frequency range like those in the Aeronautical service.

Contact ISED

We recommend that you contact your local Spectrum Management District Office for further instructions.

Language selection

WxT Search form

Aeronautical service

On this page:

Overview of the aeronautical service

Important to know

Ready to get started?

Not sure how to proceed?