Hi Francis,

PMR 446 radios are unrestricted, and I use them occasionally to keep in touch with the family on the ground, and its works well 5-8km range! Never used Air to Air myself. ( might be some technical loophole about them meant for use on ground, but I doubt anyone would bother!)

2m needs a license, which is inexpensive and something of a formality I believe, but I don’t know anyone who has gone to the trouble. They seem to pay very little attention as long as you are not interfering with legitimate 2m users. Range is short enough, for these sets not to be too much trouble I think.

Airband needs license for legal use here, but again if used sensibly with regard to appropriate frequencies, there seems to be very little concern. A good few are using them, and I know one person with license ( from PPL days) who actually use the Airband set to communicate regularly with ATC! From the air, to let them know what his movements are! Most use them to keep an ear out for Microlight traffic.

Good luck,

Oisin