Frequency Coordination
programs. All coordination requests are submitted through its designated portal.
Frequency Coordination Services
Recognized by the FCC and NTIA, AFTRCC serves as the non-government coordinator for flight test frequency assignments including the following frequencies and bands.
- HF Band (discrete frequencies in MHz as follows: 2.851, 3.004, 3.281, 3.443, 5.451, 5.469, 5.571, 6.550, 8.822, 10.045, 11.288, 11.306, 13.312, 17.964, 21.931)
- VHF Band (123.1125 – 123.5875 MHz excluding within +/- 12.5 kHz of 123.300 and 123.500 MHz)
- L-Band (1435 – 1525 MHz)
- S-Band (2360 – 2395 MHz)
- C-Band (5091 – 5150 MHz)
AFTRCC supports coordination for flight test, broadcast, space and specialized communications across the United States and its territories, with each coordination type following specific requirements, timelines, and submission processes.
On October 25, 1996, the FCC released a Report and Order eliminating licensing requirements for aircraft operating domestically. To clarify the resulting confusion, the FCC has explained that the Report and Order refers to those stations authorized under 47 C.F.R. Part 87 Subpart F, which include general aviation aircraft, scheduled air carriers, and air taxies. Flight test aircraft authorized under Part 87 Subpart J, however, use frequencies requiring AFTRCC coordination and must continue to be licensed.Subpart J, 87.305 (a)(1) states:“Each application for a new license, renewal or modification of an existing license concerning flight test frequencies, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, must be accompanied by a statement from a frequency advisory committee…”“(b) These applications need not be accompanied by evidence of frequency coordination: (1) Any application for modification not involving change in frequency(ies), power, emission, antenna height, antenna location or area of operation. (2) Any application for 121.5 MHz.”The FCC requires coordination for any license action except a change in license name that is NOT due to change in ownership; change in ownership requires coordination. If the licensee name change is due to a change in ownership, an application for a new license is required, along with a AFTRCC coordination. AFTRCC recommends coordination be performed for ALL license actions, including simple changes such as name and addresses. This practice keeps user information in the AFTRCC database current. There is no coordination fee for changes in name or address.
Further information regarding licensing & coordination requirements can be found here:
- 47 C.F.R PART 87-AVIATION SERVICES: Subpart F-Aircraft Stations
- 47 C.F.R PART 87 AVIATION SERVICES: Subpart J-Flight Test Stations
- NTIA Redbook Chapter 8 (see 8.3.17 Procedures for Field Level Coordination)
Select a coordination type below to review requirements, access policies, and submit your request through its designated portal.
AFTRCC coordinates specific HF carrier frequencies and VHF voice frequencies under FCC Part 5 regulations, and for support of flight testing under FCC Part 87 regulations. The specific frequencies allocated for Part 87 for flight testing are identified in 47 CFR Part 87 Subparts E and J at eCFR :: 47 CFR Part 87 -- Aviation Services. Part 5 applications should use the Experimental coordination form on the AFTRCC coordination portal, and Part 87 applications need to use the Flight Test HF/VHF form.
All requests must be submitted through the Spectrum-E portal with complete technical details. Coordination is subject to availability, with typical processing times of 7–10 business days after payment is received. Requests may be submitted up to 60 days in advance, and expedited requests require a minimum of three business days.
AFTRCC coordinates broadcast operations under FCC Part 5 and Part 87 regulations, supporting spectrum use in the 1435–1525 MHz and 2360-2395 MHz bands while ensuring protection of Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) systems and other priority users.
Broadcast operations are considered a secondary use of the spectrum and are only accommodated after primary and other secondary users have been fully supported. Access is not guaranteed, and operations must cease immediately if interference occurs.
All requests must be submitted through the Spectrum-E portal with complete technical details. Coordination is subject to availability, with typical processing times of 7–10 business days. Requests may be submitted up to 30 days in advance, and expedited requests require a minimum of three business days.
AFTRCC coordinates wireless microphone operations under FCC Part 74 regulations, ensuring protection of Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) systems and efficient use of shared spectrum. This coordination supports broadcasters, venues, service providers, and other eligible users operating in the 1435–1525 MHz band.
All requests must be submitted through the Spectrum-E portal and include required technical details, including electronic key functionality. Coordination is subject to availability and priority users.
Requests may be submitted up to 60 days in advance, with standard processing times of 7–10 business days. Expedited requests require a minimum of three business days, though approval is not guaranteed.
AFTRCC coordinates space launch operations under FCC Part 5, Part 87, and Part 26 regulations, supporting spectrum use in the 2360 – 2395 MHz band while ensuring protection of Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) systems and other priority users.
AFTRCC coordinates Medical Body Area Networks (MBANs) under FCC Part 95 regulations, supporting spectrum use while ensuring protection of Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) systems and other priority users.
- AFTRCC may observe additional holiday closures, which will be posted in advance on the website.
- Incomplete or incorrect submissions will be returned without processing.
- Coordination requests are not considered received until payment has been made.
- Flight Test Ground and Mobile Station requests must include a valid associated aircraft station.
- Frequency recommendations provided by AFTRCC are advisory. Final licensing decisions are made by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Coordinated frequencies are shared and are not exclusive to any one user.
Pricing & Fees
Fees vary based on coordination type and application requirements. The rates below apply to new, renewal, modified or special temporary authority (STA) applications.
Changes to name, address, or ownership do not incur any fees.
- $400/application fee
- + $100 per Station License or Location
- +$50 Per Frequency Requested
- $400/application fee
- + $100 per Station License or Location
- +$10 Per MHz Requested
Coordination Request
- $400 Coordination Request fee
- + $10/MHz Frequency Fee
- +$100/station/location
- $1,100 Coordination Request fee
and First Day - + $100 Daily Coordination Fee
- $500 Rescheduling fee
and First Day - + $100 Per backup day
Request & Submission Process
Follow the steps below to submit and complete your coordination request through the appropriate designated portal. Please review all requirements carefully, as incomplete or incorrect submissions will be returned without processing.
Complete the appropriate coordination request form in its own designated portal.
For applications submitted, invoicing and payment will be completed via the portal. Once payment is made the file will be sent to the appropriate coordinator for processing. Checks are not accepted. Payment must be made via Mastercard, Visa or Discover Card.
For coordinations submitted through Spectrum-E processing time is normally 5-7 days after payment is received. Please see the space launch policy regarding timing on space launch requests. Please note that times can be extended depending on the DoD Frequency Management office.
Once a decision as to concur/non-concur has been made the coordinator will email the appropriate documentation to attach to your FCC application.
- AFTRCC provides recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) for non-Government use of flight test voice and telemetry frequencies. AFTRCC’s role is strictly advisory; in all cases the FCC makes the decision whether to issue a license.
- Applicants are advised that no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made as to the interference-free nature of any given frequency or frequencies which AFTRCC coordinates, or as to whether any given frequency recommendation is best suited for the Applicant’s purposes.
- Applicants should also be aware that frequencies coordinated by AFTRCC are shared with other users; no one user is entitled to exclusive use of a frequency in any given area. Multiple users may be, and often are, licensed or have government assignments for use of the same frequencies. Hence, notwithstanding any FCC issuance of a license to the Applicant, transmission on any given frequency may be subject to day-to-day, hour-by-hour scheduling with Government Area Frequency Coordinators (“AFCs”) or other agencies.
- In return for AFTRCC’s processing of the Applicant’s request, the Applicant agrees to release and hold harmless AFTRCC, its officers, directors, agents, representatives, and member companies (and their respective officers, directors, employees, owners, and agents) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages or expenses which may arise now or in the future as a result of the Applicant’s acceptance of AFTRCC’s recommendation, or its use of the recommended frequency(ies).