Is ATC communication subject to FCC profanity regulations? I've never had instance to swear or use profane terminology on ATC frequencies but I've always wondered if the same FCC restrictions which apply to terrestrial entertainment radio stations are in effect for air traffic as well.  I'm guessing that yes, they do and you can run afoul with the FCC over the use of bad language over aviation VHF frequencies?  Does anyone else know about this?

18 USC 1464 seems to spell out a criminal act, but 'any obscene, indecent, or profane thing' is fairly vague language and subject to quite a bit of interpretation.  Is this to be cross referenced against, say, the indecency lines in the Supreme Court case FCC vs Pacifica Foundation in respect to George Carlin's 'Seven Dirty Words'?

Some examples: in the film Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience, an opposing Solo makes the following radio comment while performing the Dirty Loop:

"That's very interesting, boss.  I just got down to 40 knots on the top of that son of a bitch."

And then there are these two potty mouths who work (or used to work) for Southwest Airlines making some less than flattering comments about their coworkers on a hot mike.  


                
            

Both seem to violate the terms of 18 USC 1464.  Is one more deserving of prosecution than the other?
I'm not sure if FCC broadcast regulations specifically apply to airband VHF: It's not really a "broadcast station" in the sense of FCC regulations, but rather a wireless service (RT) on spectrum delegated to another agency. The FAA handles regulation of the service, the FCC just gave them a particular chunk of the VHF spectrum to use for it.

Obscene or profane transmissions are generally frowned upon by both pilots and controllers though, and the FAA specifically prohibits "obscene, indecent,or profane language" on their communication services (JO 72103Z) - Controllers can face disciplinary action over it, and I imagine they could find something in the regulations to charge a pilot with if they wanted to.