ACARS (aircraft messages)
A system that sends short text messages between airliners and their airlines: departure and arrival times, positions, weather and maintenance notes.
ModeACARS
FamilyAviation data
Audio exampleComing
What does it sound like?
Plate 01Aviation data
A short, shrill burst, like a squeaky modem, heard in AM.
Field marksShort data bursts from aircraftVHF, around 129-131 MHz
Who uses it?
Airlines and aircraft.
Where and when can I hear it?
VHF airband, for example 131.550 MHz (worldwide) and 130.025, 129.125 or 131.725 MHz.
What do the decoded parts mean?
- Registration: The aircraft's tail number.
- Flight: The flight number.
- Label: A two-character code for the message type.
- Text: The message: often abbreviated times (out, off, on, in), positions or weather.
Easily confused with
- VDL Mode 2 (aircraft data link): VDL2 bursts are shorter and denser