TheStranger

I understand that the FCC requires an operators permit and an aircraft station license for international flights, but what is the purpose of the rule? Why is a license needed? Is it just a revenue source or what? Maybe I'm missing something. Thanks.

joepilot

That rule used to be in place for ALL radio stations and operators, including within the US. The US changed the rule for operations in the US in about 1977, but the rest of the world did not change the rule, so still needed outside US.

Note: It is not the FAA/FCC that requires it outside the US, it is that the FAA/FCC can only relax the requirement INSIDE the US from what it is outside where international rules govern.

Joe

SaltyDog

FAR §91.703 Operations of civil aircraft of U.S. registry outside of the United States.
(a) Each person operating a civil aircraft of U.S. registry outside of the United States shall—
(1) When over the high seas, comply with annex 2 (Rules of the Air) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and with §§91.117(c), 91.127, 91.129, and 91.131;
(2) When within a foreign country, comply with the regulations relating to the flight and maneuver of aircraft there in force;
(3) Except for §§91.117(a), 91.307(b), 91.309, 91.323, and 91.711, comply with this part so far as it is not inconsistent with applicable regulations of the foreign country where the aircraft is operated or annex 2 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and
(4) When operating within airspace designated as Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) airspace, comply with §91.705. When operating within airspace designated as Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, comply with §91.706.
(5) For aircraft subject to ICAO Annex 16, carry on board the aircraft documents that summarize the noise operating characteristics and certifications of the aircraft that demonstrate compliance with this part and part 36 of this chapter.
(b) Annex 2 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Ninth Edition—July 1990, with Amendments through Amendment 32 effective February 19, 1996, to which reference is made in this part, is incorporated into this part and made a part hereof as provided in 5 U.S.C. §552 and pursuant to 1 CFR part 51. Annex 2 (including a complete historic file of changes thereto) is available for public inspection at the Rules Docket, AGC-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: Federal Register... In addition, Annex 2 may be purchased from the International Civil Aviation Organization (Attention: Distribution Officer), P.O. Box 400, Succursale, Place de L'Aviation Internationale, 1000 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2R2.
[Doc. No. 18834, 54 FR 34320, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-227, 56 FR 65661, Dec. 17, 1991; Amdt. 91-254, 62 FR 17487, Apr. 9, 1997; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004; Amdt. 91-299, 73 FR 10143, Feb. 26, 2008; Amdt. 91-312, 75 FR 9333, Mar. 2, 2010]
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The United States government signed the ICAO Accord in Chicago in 1944. Thus the United States became obligated to follow the accord as a member state.
The ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation. Home...

FAR 91.703 ensures that we as certificated pilots and US registered airlines comply with Annex 2 to the Convention as described above by incorporating the annex into the FAR. In the Annex, Article 30 (incorporated as FAR 91.703) which states:

Article 30 Aircraft radio equipment
a) Aircraft of each contracting State may, in or over the territory of other contracting States, carry radio transmitting
apparatus only if a license to install and operate such apparatus has been issued by the appropriate authorities of the State in which the aircraft is registered. The use of radio transmitting apparatus in the territory of the contracting State whose territory is flown over shall be in accordance with the regulations prescribed by that State.

b) Radio transmitting apparatus may be used only by members of the flight crew who are provided with a special
license for the purpose, issued by the appropriate authorities of the State in which the aircraft is registered.

Summary:
FAR 91.703 was designed to comply with ICAO Annex 2 Article 30 b, by incorporating the Annex which requires US certificated pilots to have a FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit for international travel. The FAA doesn't require this permit or "special license" domestically.

zondaracer

Yes, and to add it is a requirement added by ICAO because it is an ITU requirement. ITU is to the FCC as ICAO is to FAA.