FAA Proposes Phaseout of RCOs

EAA is closely following an FAA proposal to eliminate all remote communications outlets (RCOs) in the United States outside of Alaska. The notice posted last week in the Federal Register seeks public comment.

While use of RCOs has declined in recent years, many pilots still find value in the network of local radio frequencies that allows pilots to open and close flight plans and access other forms of flight service. The FAA estimates that the remaining non-Alaska network of 936 facilities receives 300 calls per day; however, this is down from 22,000 calls per day in the mid-1980s.

Comments are open through May 27. EAA would like to hear your thoughts as we develop our response to this proposal. Do you make use of the RCO network in your flying? Email your thoughts to govt@eaa.org.