General information

An aeronautical radio certificate issued by the Federal Network Agency is generally required to perform aeronautical radio services at ground and aeronautical radio stations. The authorization to exercise the aeronautical radio service may also be issued by the competent aviation authorities and indicated on the pilot’s license by stating the type of aeronautical radio authorization.
The following are exempt from the obligation to provide a certificate:
aeronautical radio stations on board free balloons, aerial sports equipment and gliders, unless they are operated in airspaces B, C and D, aeronautical radio stations on board aircraft used for the training of aviation personnel, radio stations in motor vehicles used exclusively for communication with aeronautical radio stations in free balloons, aerial sports equipment and gliders, ground radio stations, which are used exclusively for the transmission of flight operation messages or which are used exclusively for training purposes, authorized persons who carry out maintenance and repair work on radio equipment and participate in aircraft radio for verification purposes as part of this activity, authorized persons who move around the operating areas of an airport in motor vehicles, holders of corresponding valid military permits.

Certificate types

There are the following different radiotelephony certificates for the aeronautical radio service:

• Restricted radiotelephony certificate II for the aeronautical radio service (BZF II)
• Restricted radiotelephony certificate I for the aeronautical radio service (BZF I)
• Restricted radiotelephony certificate E for the aeronautical radio service (BZF E)
• General radiotelephony certificate for the aeronautical radio service (AZF)
• General radiotelephony certificate E for the aeronautical radio service (AZF E)

The type of certificates required depends on the type of ground or air station to be operated. Subject to the provisions of § 26a para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Air Traffic Regulations (Luftverkehrs-Ordnung), aircraft radio certificates authorize the use of radiotelephony as follows:

• BZF II – Radiotelephony within the Federal Republic of Germany in German according to visual flight rules
• BZF I – Radiotelephony in German and English according to visual flight rules
• BZF E – Radiotelephony in English according to visual flight rules
• AZF – Radiotelephony according to visual and instrument flight rules
• AZF E – Radiotelephony in English according to visual and instrument flight rules

Requirements for obtaining a BZF II, BZF I or BZF E

Applicants must be at least 15 years old or reach the minimum age no later than three months after the examination.
The BZF I can be acquired as a full examination or as an additional examination to the BZF II.

Requirements for obtaining an AZF or AZF E

Applicants must be at least 18 years old or reach the minimum age no later than three months after the examination.
The AZF and AZF E can only be obtained with an additional examination, i.e. the AZF requires the BZF II or BZF I and the AZF E requires the BZF E.

Courses

Westflug Flight Training conducts the courses as part of the pilot training program. Only instructors who are actively involved in air traffic control are employed to ensure optimal and practical training. Lessons take place in person or via distance learning.

Time and place of the audit

The examination takes place at the Federal Network Agency, Cologne. The examination authority will inform the flight school of the date of the examination on request.