UNICOM and Certified Air Ground Radio Service for Australian Aerodromes
UNICOM / CA/GRS
Oz Airports provides airport radio communications solutions that sit between unmanaged CTAF operations and a full ATC service, delivering genuine aviation safety communication services at a fraction of the cost of Air Traffic Control.
Oz Airports is Australia’s premium provider of UNICOM (Universal Communications) services to aerodrome operators. UNICOM services are usually provided for events such as general aviation fly-ins and circumstances where increased airport activity requires the airport operator to enhance coordination between aircraft and ground staff.
As air traffic density and complexity around airports increases, so does the risk profile at that airport. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) monitors the risk levels at key regional airports through regular aeronautical studies. As the risk profile approaches a number of risk criteria, CASA will typically recommend the introduction of an air traffic service at the airport. Such a service can range from a Certified Air/Ground Radio Service (CA/GRS) through to a full Air Traffic Control service provided by Airservices Australia.
UNICOM (UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATIONS)
Oz Airports has extensive experience in the provision of these services in events such as AOPA annual meetings and the Birdsville races. Our staff are highly qualified former air traffic controllers / flight service operators who provide a professional service.
UNICOM services are non-ATS radio communication services provided on CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency) to enhance the value of information normally available about a non-controlled aerodrome.
Oz Airports UNICOM services greatly enhance the safety and efficiency of Aerodromes during times of increased aircraft movements and activity.
Oz Airports UNICOM services comply with the requirements of Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 83 (2).
A UNICOM service is not a certified air/ground radio service as it does not provide a directed traffic information service. The primary function of the frequencies (CTAF) used for UNICOM services is to provide the means for pilots to exchange traffic information for separation purposes.
UNICOM Service
Participation in UNICOM services is limited to the exchange of radio messages concerning:
- confirmation of the CTAF frequency selected by aircraft;
- general aerodrome weather reports;
- aerodrome information;
- estimated times of arrival and departure;
- passenger requirements;
- aircraft refueling arrangements;
- aircraft parking requirements;
- unscheduled landings by aircraft.
CA/GRS Information
The Certified Air/Ground Radio service (CA/GRS) must provide the information service as specified below, by broadcast on CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency).
The information service will be provided to all arriving, departing, and overflying aircraft which call on CTAF. The information will be broadcast to aircraft following the receipt of the arrival, departure, or overflying broadcast, or otherwise on request.
The following are the elements which the service shall provide:
Frequency Confirmation. A voice response by the CA/GRS will confirm each aircraft’s radio operation and the correct frequency selection.
Air Traffic Information. The CA/GRS operator must provide traffic information of known, relevant, aircraft operating in the terminal airspace (arriving, departing, overflying) that have advised their presence on the aerodrome frequency, or which otherwise have been observed by the operator. The traffic information is to include the aircraft call sign, type, present operating situation and intention. This information will assist pilots in "arranging alerted see and avoid separation” via aircraft to aircraft communication. The CA/GRS operator does not arrange separation.
Aerodrome Weather Information. The CA/GRS operator must advise of prevailing weather at the aerodrome. This includes wind speed and direction, runway favoured by wind, runway surface condition, QNH (Query: Nautical Height), temperature, and estimated cloud base and visibility.
Emergency Services Alerting. The CA/GRS will provide a telephone contact to civil services for emergency alerting in the event it is needed. The operator will notify local emergency services by telephone on request, or if the operator assesses that an emergency situation exists.
Other Advice. The CA/G radio operator will not normally communicate with aircraft for any reason other than the above purposes. However, on request by a pilot, or when the operator considers it prudent, a course of action may be suggested by the operator.
Certified Air/Ground Radio Service (CA/GRS)
The implementation of Air Traffic Control at an airport can cost millions of dollars per annum and these costs are passed onto air operators utilising that airport by Airservices Australia. The introduction of Air Traffic Control can also lead to some airspace users being unable to operate in the controlled airspace around the airport, meaning airport based maintenance business and flying schools can be financially disadvantaged or even close, given that the aircraft they either repair or operate are excluded from the airspace.
CA/GRS provides a cost-effective solution to mitigate air traffic congestion risks at aerodromes with aircraft movements in excess of 20,000 per year. The service is provided by the aerodrome operator, at a small percentage of the cost of an air traffic control service and can be tailored to operate during known high flight activity periods throughout the day. The introduction of CA/GRS does not affect aircraft operators at the airport, given it does not require the establishment of controlled airspace around the airport. An operational CA/GRS service will serve to reduce CASA’s risk profile and, in many cases, can remove the future establishment of air traffic control. The costs of a CA/GRS are typically recovered through a small surcharge on airline passenger ticketing, resulting in a nil operational cost to the airport, and no costs to the general aviation community whilst greatly enhancing aircraft and airport safety.
Oz Airports has extensive experience in the provision of CA/GRS services to aerodromes. Our National Manager for Operations, Peter Johnston, in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), developed the service and regulatory requirements through a series of trials at Wagga Wagga, Uluru and Broome. The service has since been operated successfully at Broome, Uluru and Ballina.
Our staff are experienced air traffic controllers and/or flight service officers, licensed by CASA to provide CA/GRS services under MOS (Manual of Standards) Part 139 14.2.3 CA/GRS Operating Standards and Procedures.
Certified Air/Ground Radio service is an aerodrome radio information service that provides operational information to aircraft in the airspace or on the aerodrome surface of the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) in which the aerodrome is located.
Relate more Services
Aerodrome Reporting and Works Safety Officer Theory Training
Oz Airports provides Aerodrome Reporting and Works Safety Officer theory training, in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) AIC 139-13. The training provides the theory base that a new Aerodrome Reporting and Works Safety Officer requires,
Aircraft Radio Operators Certificate (AROC)
Oz Airports trainers deliver, through CASA Instruments of Authority, training and assessment of candidates to gain an AROC. This also extends to our delivery of Aviation English Literacy Proficiency (AELP) and General English Literacy Proficiency (GELP) assessments.
What is UNICOM?
UNICOM (Universal Communications) is a non-ATS radio communication service provided on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) at non-controlled aerodromes. It is not a certified air ground radio service and does not provide a directed traffic information service. Its primary purpose is to enhance the quality of information available to pilots during periods of increased aircraft activity.
Oz Airports provides UNICOM at high-traffic events such as AOPA annual meetings and the Birdsville Races. Our operators are highly qualified former air traffic controllers and flight service officers who understand the aerodrome communication and safety services environment from the inside.
UNICOM services cover:
- Confirmation of the CTAF frequency selected by aircraft
- General aerodrome weather reports
- Aerodrome information and runway conditions
- Estimated times of arrival and departure
- Passenger, refuelling, and parking requirements
- Unscheduled landing coordination
What is a Certified Air Ground Radio Service (CA/GRS)?
A Certified Air Ground Radio Service is a CASA-regulated aerodrome radio communication solution that provides an active information service to all arriving, departing, and overflying aircraft on CTAF. Unlike UNICOM, CA/GRS is a formal, certified service operated under CASA MOS Part 139 standards.
CA/GRS is the recommended solution for aerodromes with more than 20,000 aircraft movements per year where the risk profile has increased but the cost of full ATC is prohibitive. As a certified air ground radio service provider, Oz Airports delivers a service that meaningfully reduces that risk profile and, in many cases, removes the future requirement for ATC altogether.
The CA/GRS information service includes:
- Frequency Confirmation — voice confirmation that each aircraft is operating on the correct frequency.
- Air Traffic Information — traffic information for all known aircraft operating in the terminal airspace, including call sign, type, position, and intention. This supports alerted see-and-avoid separation between aircraft.
- Aerodrome Weather Information — wind speed and direction, favoured runway, runway surface condition, QNH, temperature, and estimated cloud base and visibility.
- Emergency Services Alerting — telephone contact to civil emergency services if the operator identifies or is advised of an emergency situation.
The Cost Case for CA/GRS
Implementing full Air Traffic Control at an airport can cost millions of dollars per year, with costs passed directly to airline operators and passengers. ATC also introduces controlled airspace that can exclude general aviation users, disadvantageous flying schools and maintenance businesses based at the aerodrome.
CA/GRS provides aerodrome communication and safety services at a small percentage of the cost of ATC. It can be tailored to operate during known high-activity periods rather than continuously, and it does not require the establishment of controlled airspace. Costs are typically recovered through a modest surcharge on airline passenger ticketing, resulting in no additional cost to general aviation operators.
The result is a practical, CASA-compliant air ground radio service for airport safety without the financial and operational consequences of full ATC.
Oz Airports as an Experienced CA/GRS and UNICOM Operator
Oz Airports brings unmatched depth of experience to aviation radio communication services for airports. Our National Manager for Operations, Peter Johnston, worked directly with CASA to develop the CA/GRS service and its regulatory framework, conducting trials at Wagga Wagga, Uluru, and Broome. CA/GRS has since been successfully operated at Broome, Uluru, and Ballina.
Our operators hold current CASA licences to provide CA/GRS under MOS Part 139 14.2.3. Every operator is a qualified former air traffic controller or flight service officer, not a generalist radio operator. This is the standard of aerodrome communication services your airport needs, and the standard Oz Airports delivers.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Question
What is the difference between UNICOM and CA/GRS?
UNICOM is an informal radio communication service that enhances information exchange at non-controlled aerodromes during busy periods. CA/GRS is a CASA-certified service with defined obligations to provide traffic, weather, and emergency information to all aircraft on CTAF.
When does an aerodrome need CA/GRS?
CASA typically recommends CA/GRS when an aerodrome exceeds 20,000 movements per year and the aeronautical risk profile reaches a defined threshold. It is also used as a cost-effective alternative to full ATC at aerodromes approaching that threshold.
Does CA/GRS affect general aviation operations at the aerodrome?
No. Because CA/GRS does not require controlled airspace, all current aircraft operators can continue flying without restriction.
Can Oz Airports provide airport communication services for high traffic events?
Yes. Oz Airports regularly provides UNICOM services for major aviation events and fly-ins across Australia. Contact us to discuss your event requirements.
Ready to Discuss Your Aerodrome
Communication Requirements?
Whether your aerodrome needs UNICOM support for an upcoming event or a permanent CA/GRS solution to manage growing traffic, Oz Airports has the qualified operators and regulatory experience to deliver it.