New tactic? - Fake Air Traffic Calls
From the Telegraph and Argus:
Radio hoaxers putting lives at risk with fake air traffic calls at Leeds Bradford Airport
Pirate broadcasters have been risking lives by posing as air crew and sending bogus messages to air traffic controllers at Leeds-Bradford Airport.
A police investigation has begun to catch the illegal broadcasters who have been using specialist equipment – and specific airline ‘call signs’ – to disrupt planes landing or taking off from the Yeadon airport.
There have been two incidents reported to police by airport staff since Christmas, sparking safety concerns.
He said that, although air traffic controllers were aware of all of the planes’ flight paths, the illegal broadcasts could cause danger by increasing the possibility of aircraft colliding.
They have sent calls on the correct radio frequency – one of thousands available – used by the airport, said Mr Winterbourne.
They are understood to have been near the airport when the broadcasts were made.
Mr Winterbourne said: “The calls were pretending to be for air traffic controllers and anybody broadcasting on that frequency is creating not only a danger to the air traffic control but also a danger to the pilot and the public, passengers and people on the ground.”
Andy Leat, a constable with the Leeds-Bradford Airport police, who is based in Otley, said West Yorkshire Police had stepped up patrols around the airport in a bid to catch the airwave pirates.
They are believed to be in their late teens or early 20s and have “specialist knowledge” of aircraft and airports.
PC Leat said: “To be able to broadcast on an airport frequency, you need specialist equipment.
“Each airline has a call sign and they were using the correct call sign for an airline which uses Leeds-Bradford Airport.
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