Jumpseat: On Guard

Les Abend

Friday, April 01, 2011 at 05:05 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Airline pilots' monitoring of guard frequency (121.5) is situational, often deprioritized below 10,000 feet or in areas like South America where air-to-air communication (123.45) is preferred for operational issues.
Despite frequent accidental transmissions and its limited practical use in some scenarios, 121.5 remains crucial for relaying emergencies, assisting distressed aircraft, and contacting lost flights.
An incident involving a Commander pilot who declared a loss of pitch control, received advice from other pilots (including the author), and ultimately parachuted out, highlighted the complexities and potential suspicious nature of emergencies heard on guard frequency.
The author concludes that monitoring guard frequency is a professional responsibility, despite the varied circumstances and occasional oddities encountered.

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(March 2011) ON OCCASION, I AM ASKED if we airline types actually monitor guard frequency — 121.5. My stock answer is “Of course.” And for the most part, I’m telling the truth. However, in some circumstances it’s not practical. What are those circumstances?

I don’t want to speak for all my colleagues, but below 10,000 feet agl, which defines the sterile period for most commercial operations, I don’t make guard frequency a priority. Operating below 10,000 feet usually coincides with the terminal arrival or departure process. Chatter on another radio could be a potential distraction.