Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Point your browser to the LiveATC.net web site home page. If you want to listen to a particular airport's communications, type the three-letter designator in the "Find Feeds by Airport" box. Otherwise, you can use the links in the left column to browse all the feeds in an area, or you can search for feeds on a map, or you can click on one of the most popular feeds.
Click on the feed you've chosen. Your computer will likely play the file on your default audio application; otherwise you may need to install Winamp, iTunes, Real Player, Windows Media Player or another player. Depending on the time of day and the amount of traffic on the feed, it might take time before you hear any transmissions on the frequency you chose. Don't assume a feed is down just because it is quiet.
Learn what the communications mean. If you are new to listening to air traffic communications, you will probably have some difficulty interpreting what you are hearing. A good reference is the Pilot/Controller Glossary.
Listen to archived communications. LiveATC.net provides a large collection of archived feeds. You can listen to a particular date and time, or you can also browse through the collection of interesting exchanges if you are a registered member of the LiveATC forums. It is free to register. You will find some useful recordings in the archives and forums. If you want to hear the U.S. Airways Flight 1529 landing in the Hudson, this is where you would go.