The Australian Federal Police today charged a 45-year-old Melbourne man for allegedly interfering with “airband” radio transmissions of commercial aircraft in Victoria.
The Lower Plenty man, 45, will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today, September 23, 2024, to face three charges for allegedly intentionally causing interference to communications at Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport over two months.
The AFP commenced an investigation earlier in September after receiving a report from the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) about an individual(s) were transmitting unauthorised to aviation two-way radio networks, “broadcasting various chants and false mayday recordings,” the AFP said in a statement.
AFP Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher said the AFP and its aviation partners work collaboratively to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
“These offences are extremely serious. Aviation security is critical and appropriate procedures, processes and systems are in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations across Australian airports,” Det. Supt. Butcher said.
Investigators, with assistance from ACMA radio inspectors, triangulated – or traced – the alleged offender’s transmissions to the offender’s Lower Plenty residence.
A search warrant was executed on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at his Lower Plenty residence.
During the search, AFP officers located and seized four handheld aviation “airband” radios and associated equipment allegedly used to transmit the interference, including two mobile phones with recordings of chants and mayday messages.
The 45-year-old Lower Plenty man was arrested and charged with:
- One count of radio transmission capable of prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft, with the intention of prejudicing the safe operation of that aircraft, contrary to subsection 19(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years imprisonment;
- One count of operating a radio communications device, namely, otherwise than as authorised by an apparatus licence, contrary to section 46(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years imprisonment; and
- One count of using a transmitter, that interfered with radio communications in a way that was prejudicial to the safe operation of an aircraft, contrary to section 192(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years imprisonment.
“Anyone who attempts to compromise the safety of the travelling public, through false or unauthorized access to its operations and equipment, will be caught and brought before the courts,” Det. Supt. Butcher said.
The airband, used by commercial, private, civilian and some military aviation – such as the RAAF Roulettes display team – is between 108MHz and 138MHz, just above the FM broadcast band. It is illegal to transmit on aviation frequencies unless authorised to do so.
It is against Australian and International law to broadcast, transmit, or cause to broadcast or transmit “MAYDAY” or “PAN PAN PAN” voice radio calls (or send “SOS”) unless a bona fide emergency.
When the words “MAYDAY” are heard on any radio service. Everything else stops. These alleged false MAYDAY calls would have caused flight diversions, flight delays, and rescue pilots would have been put on standby.
It is not known whether the alleged offender has – or previously had – any qualifications in radio communications, such as an amateur radio operator’s licence.
DISCLOSURE: The author, Ashley Geelan, is a licensed amateur radio operator, callsign VK3HAG.
