Aeronautical utility mobile stations refer pretty specifically to
operation at an airport. Perhaps as important is the section on
Aviation Support Stations, because they specifically mention gliders,
they allow land and mobile use, including away from the airport, and
"Aviation support mobile stations will be assigned 123.300 and 123.500
MHz." This takes into account usage by a crew following or recovering
a glider/pilot. My (non-lawyer, prejudiced) reading would say that
taking out slack and finding lift would be acceptable under 87.319(b):

Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 87—AVIATION SERVICES
Subpart K—Aviation Support Stations
§ 87.319 Scope of service.
Aviation support stations are used for the following types of
operations:
(a) Pilot training;
(b) Coordination of soaring activities between gliders, tow aircraft
and land stations;
(c) Coordination of activities between free balloons or lighter-than-
air aircraft and ground stations;
(d) Coordination between aircraft and aviation service organizations
located on an airport concerning the safe and efficient portal-to-
portal transit of the aircraft, such as the types of fuel and ground
services available; and
(e) Promotion of safety of life and property.

Subpart K—Aviation Support Stations
§ 87.323 Frequencies.
.....
(b) The frequencies 121.950, 123.300 and 123.500 MHz are available for
assignment to aviation support stations used for pilot training,
coordination of lighter-than-air aircraft operations, or coordination
of soaring or free ballooning activities. Applicants for 121.950 MHz
must coordinate their proposal with the appropriate FAA Regional
Spectrum Management Office. The application must specify the FAA
Region notified and the date notified. Applicants for aviation support
land stations may request frequency(ies) based upon their eligibility
although the Commission reserves the right to specify the frequency of
assignment. Aviation support mobile stations will be assigned 123.300
and 123.500 MHz. However, aviation support mobile stations must
operate only on a noninterference basis to communications between
aircraft and aviation support land stations.
.....

BUT, agreed, a license seems to be required for Aviation Support
Stations as well.

John



On Dec 29, 5:41*pm, Tony V wrote:
- Does an FCC license for your airport cover the use of handhelds for
ground operations such as talking to the winch operator, the wing
runner to the guy logging flights on the "board", telling the guy on
the mower that someone is landing, etc? *I would think that if the
communications are operationally necessary, the answer is no a license
is not required.

I agree that they are operationally useful/necessary. Assuming that the
airport has a valid unicom/multicom license, you can legally uses a
handheld radio as follows:

47 CFR 87.345(c) states
"Aeronautical utility mobile stations
which operate on the airport s
unicom frequency or the frequency
122.900 MHz are authorized only to
transmit information relating to safety,
such as runway conditions and hazards
on the airport. These stations are
authorized primarily for monitoring
communications from and to aircraft
approaching or departing the airport."

If you want use a hand held on the ground to tell the tow pilot to take
out the slack or ask where the lift is, you will need a license.

- Is an FCC license needed by myself when I am flying my glider? *I
have been told no, but heard some conflicting information which was
more related to corporate pilots.

No license is required unless you are operating outside of the US.

Can someone quote chapter and verse?

87.18 - Station license required.

* *(b) An aircraft station is licensed by rule and does not need an
individual license issued by the FCC if the aircraft station is not
required by statute, treaty, or agreement to which the United States is
signatory to carry a radio, and the aircraft station does not make
international flights or communications. Even though an individual
license is not required, an aircraft station licensed by rule must be
operated in accordance with all applicable operating requirements,
procedures, and technical specifications found in this part.