AIM Update June 17 2021

FAA has published the June 17, 2021 update of the Aeronautical Information Manual. You can download the PDF from the FAA website here.

Changes of interest to general aviation pilots in this update include:

4−1−11. DESIGNATED UNICOM/MULTICOM FREQUENCIES:

Over the Continental United States and Coastal Waters 123.4 MHz and 123.45 MHz are reserved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for stations individually licensed to commercial aircraft and accessory manufacturers to use as flight test frequencies. Aircraft may only communicate with their associated company ground stations and these frequencies may not be used for air−to−air communications of any sort. In order to bring attention to the proper usage of 123.4 MHz and 123.45 MHz, this change adds these frequencies to TBL 4−1−3, Other Frequency Usage Designated by the FCC, along with the description of their use and the note that they are not for air−to−air communication.

Pilots have often informally used 123.4 (the so-called fingers) for formation flights and other air-to-air communications. This update makes it clear that the frequency isn’t to be used for that purpose.

7−1−5. PREFLIGHT BRIEFING
This change inserts language in the Aeronautical Information Manual that pilots do not need to call Flight Service in order to obtain a regulatory compliant briefing and encourages pilots to self−brief before calling a flight service station.