Article / Archive
(WSUA9 Video; NBC News video)
Federal aviation officials are looking into an incident in which pilots were heard making animal noises over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (7News)
WASHINGTON (7News) — Federal aviation officials are looking into an incident in which pilots were heard making animal noises over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Audio from ATC.com, circulating online since April 12, caught pilots making "meow" sounds on the radio – prompting another voice to respond, "You guys need to be professional pilots."
The exchange continued with more noise, including barking.
The other person then said, "This is why you still fly an RJ," which means regional jet. Pilots in their early careers usually get their start with regional airlines.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it reviews all potential violations of its rules.
"FAA regulations prohibit pilots from engaging in non-essential conversations when they're below 10,000 feet altitude," the agency said. "Conversations must be related to the safe operation of the aircraft."
Because the audio came from a third party, the FAA will have to verify it and will investigate if any regulations were violated.
A pilot familiar with air traffic communications told ABC News the behavior often occurs on the "guard" frequency, a channel reserved primarily for emergency communications and typically monitored but infrequently used.
Article / Archive
The FAA said "non-essential conversations" are prohibited below 10,000 feet.
"Meow ... meow!"
The animal sounds heard over an air traffic control frequency were not from a cat loose on the plane, but human pilots making animal noises.
The meowing occurred over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12. The audio was recorded and obtained from ATC.com.
The pilots were quickly scolded, with someone else on the frequency saying, "You guys need to be professional pilots." The scolding was met with more meows and barks.
"This is why you still fly an RJ," the other person told the pilots. "RJ" means regional jet. Many early-career pilots get their start flying for regional airlines.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said regulations prohibit pilots from "engaging in non-essential conversations when they're below 10,000 feet altitude" and that the agency investigates all situations where pilots may have violated the rules.
The FAA said the audio of the meowing comes from a third-party source but said the agency will investigate once they have verified it.
Dennis Tajer, pilot and spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, the union which represents American Airlines pilots, said he has heard meowing on the "guard" frequency before.
The guard frequency is used infrequently by pilots and controllers because it is reserved for emergencies.
"It's not entertainment, it's a serious frequency and it has a serious purpose," Tajer said. "Anything that contaminates that with idle humor or any kind of schtick is not received well and it should stop."
Tajer had a message for the meowing pilots: "For the few individuals out there that do it: stop, join us, stay safe and we'll keep that frequency sacred and protected."
LISTEN | Pilots heard making cat, dog noises over emergency air traffic radio at DCA
by De'Anthony Taylor, WLJAFederal aviation officials are looking into an incident in which pilots were heard making animal noises over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (7News)
WASHINGTON (7News) — Federal aviation officials are looking into an incident in which pilots were heard making animal noises over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Audio from ATC.com, circulating online since April 12, caught pilots making "meow" sounds on the radio – prompting another voice to respond, "You guys need to be professional pilots."
The exchange continued with more noise, including barking.
The other person then said, "This is why you still fly an RJ," which means regional jet. Pilots in their early careers usually get their start with regional airlines.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it reviews all potential violations of its rules.
"FAA regulations prohibit pilots from engaging in non-essential conversations when they're below 10,000 feet altitude," the agency said. "Conversations must be related to the safe operation of the aircraft."
Because the audio came from a third party, the FAA will have to verify it and will investigate if any regulations were violated.
A pilot familiar with air traffic communications told ABC News the behavior often occurs on the "guard" frequency, a channel reserved primarily for emergency communications and typically monitored but infrequently used.
Article / Archive
'Meow, meow': Pilots scolded after animal noises heard on air traffic control frequency
by Clara McMichael, ABC NewsThe FAA said "non-essential conversations" are prohibited below 10,000 feet.
"Meow ... meow!"
The animal sounds heard over an air traffic control frequency were not from a cat loose on the plane, but human pilots making animal noises.
The meowing occurred over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12. The audio was recorded and obtained from ATC.com.
The pilots were quickly scolded, with someone else on the frequency saying, "You guys need to be professional pilots." The scolding was met with more meows and barks.
"This is why you still fly an RJ," the other person told the pilots. "RJ" means regional jet. Many early-career pilots get their start flying for regional airlines.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said regulations prohibit pilots from "engaging in non-essential conversations when they're below 10,000 feet altitude" and that the agency investigates all situations where pilots may have violated the rules.
The FAA said the audio of the meowing comes from a third-party source but said the agency will investigate once they have verified it.
Dennis Tajer, pilot and spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, the union which represents American Airlines pilots, said he has heard meowing on the "guard" frequency before.
The guard frequency is used infrequently by pilots and controllers because it is reserved for emergencies.
"It's not entertainment, it's a serious frequency and it has a serious purpose," Tajer said. "Anything that contaminates that with idle humor or any kind of schtick is not received well and it should stop."
Tajer had a message for the meowing pilots: "For the few individuals out there that do it: stop, join us, stay safe and we'll keep that frequency sacred and protected."
Last edited:
