Definition
A transmission of information relating to air navigation that is not addressed to a specific station or stations.
Plain English
A radio call sent out to whoever is listening, rather than to one particular controller or aircraft.
Context Anchor
You may see this term in radio communication procedures, weather information, airport information, and other messages sent for general use by aircraft or stations in an area.
Derivation
From the old farming term 'broadcast,' meaning to scatter seed widely by hand. The radio sense kept the same idea: information scattered out to anyone in range, rather than aimed at one receiver.
Why Pilots Care
Lets a pilot share position, intentions, or hazards with all nearby aircraft at once without tying up the frequency with individual calls.
Intuition Check
Do not assume broadcast only means a public radio or TV program. In aviation, it means an aviation message sent out generally, not addressed to one specific receiver.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the uncontrolled field, the pilot made a broadcast on the common frequency announcing his position and intentions.
Example Sentence 2
Before entering the airport traffic pattern at the non-towered field, she broadcast her approach from five miles out.