47 CFR § 90.423 - Operation on board aircraft.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t47/s90.423"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "47 CFR § 90.423 - Operation on board aircraft."
title_number: 47
title_name: "Telecommunication"
section_number: "90.423"
section_name: "Operation on board aircraft."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES"
part_number: "90"
part_name: "PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r), 332(c)(7), 1401-1473"
regulatory_source: "43 FR 54791, Nov. 22, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "90"
---


# 90.423 Operation on board aircraft.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section, and except as may be provided in other sections of this part with respect to operation on specific frequencies, mobile stations first authorized after September 14, 1973, under this part may be operated aboard aircraft for air-to-mobile, air-to-base, air-to-air and air-to-ship communications subject to the following:

(1) Operations are limited to aircraft that are regularly flown at altitudes below 1.6 km (1 mi) above the earth's surface;

(2) Transmitters are to operate with an output power not to exceed ten watts;

(3) Operations are secondary to land-based systems;

(4) Such other conditions, including additional reductions of altitude and power limitations, as may be required to minimize the interference potential to land-based systems.

(b) Exceptions to the altitude and power limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section may be authorized upon a showing of unusual operational requirements which justify departure from those standards, provided that the interference potential to regular land-based operations would not be increased.

(c) [Reserved]

(d) Operation of radiolocation mobile stations may be authorized without regard to limitations and conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

[43 FR 54791, Nov. 22, 1978, as amended at 58 FR 44960, Aug. 25, 1993; 90 FR 57710, Dec. 12, 2025]