Yikes! $160 for FCC Radio Permit

Noah · #1 10-22-2012, 12:27 PM

You don't need an FCC permit (license) to operate VHF aircraft radios or transponders domestically in the USA anymore. But if you communicate with foreign stations or make international flights, you need an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Permit, according to current regs. The fee for this is now $160. (Some people on here have indicated that they paid $2 for theirs sometime around Orville Wright's first flight)

Question: For those who have flown to the Bahamas or Canada, has anybody in an official capacity ever ACTUALLY ASKED TO SEE your FCC permit? If you fly internationally WITHOUT an FCC permit, and have never had a problem, please post as well.

Thanks!

bkthomps · #2 10-22-2012, 12:28 PM

the fines far outweigh the savings you are attempting, just pay your dues and fly with the right paperwork

Ironflight · #3 10-22-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah

(Some people on here have indicated that they paid $2 for theirs sometime around Orville Wright's first flight)

Don't know about Orville, but Wilbur and I must have been in line together, and they were FREE back then!

Kahuna · #4 10-22-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah

Question: For those who have flown to the Bahamas or Canada, has anybody in an official capacity ever ACTUALLY ASKED TO SEE your FCC permit? If you fly internationally WITHOUT an FCC permit, and have never had a problem, please post as well.

Thanks!

No for both places on several occasions in RV's

BobTurner · #5 10-22-2012, 01:17 PM

I think it is worse than you think. Besides the operator's permit, I think the FCC wants you to have a station license, too, for another $100+, for the airplane.

I do not understand the reasoning here, nor do I understand why the FCC should have any authority as to what you do in another country.

I too am old enough that I have an operator's license that I got for free. It is a yellow piece of cardboard that I signed, sent in, and got back from Washington with an official stamp on it. It looks like something a ten year old made in art class.

It's been a while, and it wasn't in an experimental, but neither Mexico nor Canada ever asked to see these documents. But of course that is no guarantee of future developments.

MarkW · #6 10-22-2012, 01:23 PM

Never questioned in the Bahamas.

s24789 · #7 10-22-2012, 02:07 PM

I flew for a number of year in the Bahamas part 135, and was never asked. They want people spending their money in the islands not in the US. As for $160 mine was free.

humptybump · #8 10-22-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Don't know about Orville, but Wilbur and I must have been in line together, and they were FREE back then!

I must have been right behind Paul. zero dollars

LettersFromFlyoverCountry · #9 10-22-2012, 02:20 PM

Back in the old days of radio -- 1977 -- you had to have a radiotelephone license to work at a radio station if there was a transmitter in the building. AND you had to pass a test.

I don't know, I just paid $226 for a piece of wire attached to some wire (an Artex ELT antenna), I think you're getting more for your money from the FCC.

n5lp · #10 10-22-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTurner

...I too am old enough that I have an operator's license that I got for free. It is a yellow piece of cardboard that I signed, sent in, and got back from Washington with an official stamp on it. It looks like something a ten year old made in art class...

Yep, pretty much, but I have carried mine daily for almost 50 years and it is still legible, mostly.