FAA to investigate pilots for ‘meowing,’ ‘woofing’ on air traffic control frequency

One pilot was heard saying "meow meow frequency from Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC in audio first obtained by ATC.com. The other pilot barked in response. The audio was captured on April 12.

One person replied on the frequency, "You guys need to be professional," which was met with more meowing and barking. A person replied, "This is why you still fly an RJ." RJ refers to regional jet, where many pilots begin their careers. It is unclear which flights the pilots had been on or what airline they worked for.

Per the New York Post, the FAA said it prohibits pilots from engaging in "non-essential conversations" below 10,000 feet. "Conversations must be related to the safe operation of the aircraft. The FAA investigates all situations where pilots may have violated any regulation," the agency said.

Dennis Tajer, a pilot and spokesperson for the American Airlines pilots' union Allied Pilots Association, said he has heard meowing on the "guard frequency, which is reserved for emergencies, before. It is unclear what frequency the April 12 incident took place on.

"It's not entertainment, it's a serious frequency and it has a serious purpose," Tajer said, per ABC News. "Anything that contaminates that with idle humor or any kind of schtick is not received well and it should stop."

Addressing those meowing, Tajer said, "For the few individuals out there that do it: stop, join us, stay safe and we'll keep that frequency sacred and protected."