§ 87.189 Requirements for public correspondence equipment and operations.

(a) Transmitters used for public correspondence by aircraft stations in the maritime mobile frequency bands must be authorized by the Commission in conformity with part 80 of this chapter. (b) Transmitters used for public correspondence by aircraft stations in the Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite (R) or Maritime Mobile-Satellite frequencies must be certificated by the Commission in conformity with part 87. Aircraft earth stations that are required to be commissioned to use a privately owned satellite system also must meet the provisions of § 87.51. (c) A continuous watch must be maintained on the frequencies used for safety and regularity of flight while public correspondence communications are being handled. For aircraft earth stations, this requirement is satisfied by compliance with the priority and preemptive access requirements of § 87.187(q). (d) All communications in the Aeronautical Mobile Service and the Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite (R) Service have priority over public correspondence. (e) Transmission of public correspondence must be suspended when such operation will delay or interfere with message pertaining to safety of life and property or regularity of flight, or when ordered by the captain of the aircraft.