Definition
A non-government air-ground communication station, typically operated by a fixed-base operator (FBO) at a nontowered airport, that provides advisory information to pilots. UNICOM is licensed to broadcast on designated aeronautical frequencies (most commonly 122.7, 122.8, 122.725, 122.975, or 123.0 MHz) and may relay information such as wind direction, favored runway, known traffic, fuel availability, and other airport services. UNICOM is not air traffic control and issues no clearances or instructions.
Plain English
A radio service at a small airport, usually run by the people who sell fuel and services there, that pilots can call for basic airport information like which runway is in use and what the wind is doing. It is helpful, but it is not air traffic control.
Context Anchor
Seen in nontowered airport operations, airport information listings, and radio procedures before arriving at or departing an airport without an operating tower.
Derivation
From 'universal' (available to all users) and 'communication.' The name reflects its purpose as a shared, non-government communication service open to any pilot operating at the airport.
Why Pilots Care
Enables pilots to coordinate positions, runway use, and services without a tower controller present.
Intuition Check
Do not treat UNICOM like a control tower. It can provide information, but it does not control traffic or issue clearances.
Example Sentence 1
Ten miles out, the pilot called UNICOM and asked for an airport advisory and the favored runway.
Example Sentence 2
The line crew responded on UNICOM that fuel was available on the ramp.