GCO?

flyinguitar

flyinguitar

Well-Known Member
Today I went flying and tried to use the GCO (ground communication outlet) at an uncontrolled field to pick up my IFR clearance. I followed the instructions in the AFD and keyed the mike 4 times. A voice said something like "contacting ATC, key twice to verify." I keyed twice and there were a few beeps, and then a few very brief unintelligible transmissions. I stated who I was and that I wanted to pick up a clearance, but never heard anything back. It was a beautiful day so I decided to just launch and pick up my clearance in the air.

Has anyone successfully used a GCO? Once you "verify" with the 2 clicks, do they get back to you? Or should you just start talking? How reliable are they?

Thanks!
 
I have tried to use them at two different airports and I have never gotten them to work. I usually depart VFR and pick up the clearance in the air, or I will get the phone number for the TRACON controlling the area and get my clearance over the phone. I also followed the directions to the letter and could never get the GCO to work. Based on my experience, they are not very reliable.
 
I got one to work once. Other than that I've had no luck. I'm convinced that the phone patch hardware or software that runs them was never updated and was a victim of Y2K.
 
I've been flying for 14 years and never knew about these. I guess you learn something new everyday.
 
I used one once and got it to work. You have to key the mike very slowly with a slight pause in between keys. But it took me 3 tries to get it to work. You're better off calling the local TRACON, or, lord forbid, the clearance delivery number (which will sometimes take 30 minutes to get your release). If it's VFR, it's much more convenient to just pick it up in the air.
 
I have used a few of them and they seem to be hit or miss, although I have been using the one at I19 twice a week for the last several months and it works like a champ.
 
I've never tried them, although I suppose I could some morning this week. I have better luck with the phone.
 
We have one where I work. It is better than calling clearance on the phone, but it always cuts in and out--almost always during the transponder code read out
 
I used one once at KGED, on my IFR xc for my instrument rating. I found it very hard to hear, but if I recall correctly, I was able to pick up my clearance. Looking back, I wonder if taxiing to another location on the airport would have yielded better results.
 
I've used them at a couple of different places with mixed results. The most success I've has is at TYQ though. They put the step by step instructions on the back of their business card and it works like a charm.


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erice said:
I used one once at KGED, on my IFR xc for my instrument rating. I found it very hard to hear, but if I recall correctly, I was able to pick up my clearance. Looking back, I wonder if taxiing to another location on the airport would have yielded better results.
Click to expand...

RCO, yes. GCO, no. RCO (actually RTR) uses an antenna that might not be located on the field. It's an antenna that's actually used to broadcast to aircraft in flight; you just happen to be within line of sight to use it on the ground. GCO is an antenna on the airport, connected to a phone. So, unless the airport is huge, moving probably won't make a difference.
 
We use a GCO at KRBW all the time and have never had any issues. The one think I would recommend is using your #2 COM if the antenna is on the top of the aircraft. Depending on where you are transmitting on the filed, having the antenna higher seems to help.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
RCO, yes. GCO, no. RCO (actually RTR) uses an antenna that might not be located on the field. It's an antenna that's actually used to broadcast to aircraft in flight; you just happen to be within line of sight to use it on the ground. GCO is an antenna on the airport, connected to a phone. So, unless the airport is huge, moving probably won't make a difference.
Click to expand...

I was just about to say that. :) I used to fly into KGED all the time and the RTR there worked very well. It was a little scratchy at times but I was always able to get a hold of Dover Approach on the first attempt.
 
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