JO 7210.3 Facility Operation and AdministrationJO 7210.3EE · Change 3 · Effective 7/9/2026
Chapter 3 · Section 2
Use of Communications
5 Paragraphs3-2-1–3-2-5
3-2-1 RESPONSIBILITY
The air traffic manager is responsible for taking action to detect, prevent, and report:
Obscene, indecent, or profane language used on any means of communications (e.g., voice frequencies, Satellite Communication(s) (SATCOM), Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)).
False, deceptive, or phantom controller communications to an aircraft or controller. The following must be accomplished when false or deceptive communications occur:
Collect pertinent information regarding the incident.
Notify the Regional Operations Center (ROC) of the phantom controller situation and request a conference call with the Technical Operations, System Management Office (SMO) manager, the Spectrum Management Officer, the Service Area Director and the Security and Hazardous Materials Division Manager.
Report all relevant information pertaining to the incident on the telephone conference.
Save the audio file(s) on Digital Audio Legal Recorder (DALR) and National Voice Recorder (NVR) systems associated with the false or deceptive communications to an Organizer incident. Add the pertinent information to the Organizer incident, export the Organizer incident to a folder and copy it to external media in accordance with FAA Order JO 8020.16, Air Traffic Organization Aircraft Accident and Incident Notification, Investigation, and Reporting. The folder containing incident files should be saved to other media (e.g., flash drive, CD, or DVD) and labeled in accordance with FAA Order JO 8020.16.
Identification used on frequencies not assigned or authorized by the FAA.
Willful or malicious interference with other communications.
Remarks of a personal nature on any means of communications (e.g., voice frequencies, SATCOM, CPDLC).
3-2-2 AUTHORIZED MESSAGES NOT DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES
Occasions may arise when messages by a third party pertaining to the safety of aircraft operation or the preservation of life and/or property are necessary. Such messages may be authorized on FAA radio communications channels. They may be handled by air traffic specialists or the individuals making the request. The latter may be given access to facilities to personally issue such messages provided (See FAA Order 6050.32, Spectrum Management Regulations and Procedures Manual):
Control instructions must not be issued.
Transmission can be interrupted when required to continue ATC services.
REFERENCE
Advisory Circular AC 150/5210-7, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications.
3-2-3 USE OF OTHER THAN FAA COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
FAA personnel must be responsive to any State or local governmental agency offering to use their communications facilities for the relay of flight plan information and to cooperate with such agencies in developing procedures for relaying flight plan information to FAA facilities.
3-2-4 FBI USE OF FAA FREQUENCIES
Local FBI offices have been authorized to contact FSSs and ATCTs to consummate local agreements for emergency use of specific frequencies using FBI transceiver equipment in hijacking situations. To facilitate the handling of these requests, the guidelines set forth below must be followed (see paragraph 3-2-2, Authorized Messages Not Directly Associated with Air Traffic Services):
Selection of FSS and ATCT radio frequencies is flexible, but it must be from existing local assignments and approved by the air traffic manager after coordination with the regional frequency management office.
Selection of tower radio frequencies is flexible, but it must be from existing local assignments and approved by the air traffic manager after coordination with the regional frequency management office. Requests for frequency between 121.60 and 121.90 MHz can be expected.
3-2-5 AERONAUTICAL ADVISORY STATIONS (UNICOM/MULTICOM)
Pursuant to FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 87, Subpart C, UNICOM stations are not authorized for ATC purposes other than the relay of certain ATC information between the pilot and the controller. Relay of ATC information is limited to:
Takeoff, arrival, or flight plan cancellation times.
ATC clearances, provided there is a LOA between the licensee of the advisory station and the FAA facility.