How could a pilot speak to a civilian?

[ironbird26]

Is it true that all planes have a phone number and therefore a civilian could speak to a relation during flight (eg a pilot calling home on wife's birthday).

And also, would it be possible for a civilian on the ground to speak to a pilot in flight via radio? Or only via a satellite phone?

Thanks in advance,

IronBird26

[Anmer]

Welcome.

Depends what your definition of "civilian"?

Not all aircraft have the capability or allow the use of mobile or installed phones during flight.  Varies by airline.

Ground to airborne radio has been around for a very long time but its use is controlled by local regulations and individual licences.

I have a CAA issued aeronautical licence but its use is carefully controlled.  The CAA website has lot's of useful information about radio communications.

http://www.caa.co.uk/homepage.aspx

[ironbird26]

Thank you for your answer.

Why do you have a CAA licence? (ex pilot, current pilot?) And what does that enable you to do?

[Anmer]

Why do you have a CAA licence? (ex pilot, current pilot?)

I had a Private Pilot's Licence, now lapsed.  The radio licence is still valid.

It mean't I could use the aircraft's radio to communicate with airfield and en-route air traffic controllers.

[ironbird26]

So without your pilot licence, what does your radio licence enable you to do from the ground that others couldn't?

[Anmer]

So without your pilot licence, what does your radio licence enable you to do from the ground that others couldn't?

Not much.

Radio frequencies are allocated for specific purposes, such as airfields and ATC.

What are you wanting to achieve?

[ironbird26]

Hi Anmer,

I'm specifically trying to find out whether it would be possible for someone at home to communicate with a pilot they knew in flight on the other side of the world.

Thanks,

IB26

[Anmer]

I could be wrong, but unless the pilot can use a public networked phone in flight, I think the answer is no.  And that assumes he/she is able to make or take a call whilst on duty.

[ironbird26]

What about a SatCom phone?

[Anmer]

What about a SatCom phone?

Maybe it's technically possible but there may be concerns about interference with aircraft electronics, I really don't know.

But I was assuming you were thinking about a member of the general public rather than a dedicated one-to-one communication?

Must it be voice comms?

[ironbird26]

What about just listening in to the pilots speaking, but on other side of the world rather than overhead.

Eg With the right equipment would a father be able to listen to his pilot son using the radio from the cockpit in a plane on the other side of the world?

[Anmer]

The  wavelengths used don't travel far.  So unless someone is re-distributing local ATC voice communications, like LiveATC, the father isn't going to hear the son.  And then he would have to be listening to the appropriate frequency at the same time as the son is in communications with ATC or airline ops.  And if the son is flying the aircraft, the co-pilot may be handling the radio.

Needle in a haystack comes to mind.

[Radio2.0]

With the right equipment would a father be able to listen to his pilot son using the radio from the cockpit in a plane on the other side of the world?

Shortwave maybe?

Old Aircraft had an IFE System who allowed the Passanger to make Calls from Seat to Seat and Outside of Aircraft (for many €).
New (Longdistance) Aircraft are full of Communication Stuff like Sat Uplink für Text Messages. Make a Phonecall are no Technical Problem.

Current Airlines have also Wifi onboard! I make a Skype Call with my Family. It was sssooo amazing for us.
Some Airlines play around with onboard GSM (Femtocell).