"Astrid" wrote in message ...
"Rip" wrote in message
om...
The AIM and FCC list 122.750 MHz and 122.850 MHz for air to air (and
private airports not open to the public).

Can I use these freqs for communication in formation flights?

The AIM was updated in the early 90's to include 122.85 on the same
line as the real air to air freq., 122.75. Since then, many pilots
(myself included) have come to the erroneous conclusion that either of
these frequencies can be used for air to air communications. Many
will point out the AIM reference in support of their use of 122.85.

Jim Wier was kind enough to patiently educate me on the subject a
few years ago. The AIM has no regulatory bearing on the use of radio
frequencies. What is legal and what is not legal is determined by the
applicable FCC regs. According to them, 122.85 is NOT a general use
air to air frequency. The AIM table is misleading, in that respect.

I've seen articles in aviation periodicals, AOPA Pilot in
particular, that continue to refer to both 122.75 and 122.85 as
general use air to air frequencies. When I've sent corrections to
the authors, they're convinced that the misleading frequency table in
the AIM is all the justification they need. Oh well :-(

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)