"Jose" wrote in message
. com...

ATC tapes? I won't argue with what the rules =are= (now that I know them)
but the question applies a higher standard to records of weather that the
pilot can actually see when he gets there, than it does to IFR clearances
which can be relayed to a pilot from some other airplane in the system.


ATC tapes would record the pilot's statement of what the "weather observer"
told him, they would not identify the observer or what he actually reported.



OK, ATC tapes are definately not available in my ham radio relay scenario.
However, I wonder if all ATC clearances are recorded - specifically those
that are relayed via other aircraft, perhaps on a unicom frequency.
Suppose there is an accident due to an aircraft cleared for an ordinary
approach after the airspace had been (supposedly) vacated by the
cancellation of an IFR flight plan which was relayed from the ground via
another aircraft? Only half the conversation would be on tape (the ground
half isn't received directly by ATC, hence the need for the relay).


In cases like this the aircraft providing the relay tends to be the aircraft
waiting for the approach. If he trusts the previous pilot there's no reason
for the controller not to.



How is that covered in the regs?


FAA Order 7110.65P Air Traffic Control

Chapter 4. IFR

Section 2. Clearances

4-2-4. CLEARANCE RELAY

Relay clearances verbatim.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Communications Failure, Para 10-4-4.