Abstract: Telecommunication services are provided to subscriber-provided radiotelephones (50) residing inside an aircraft (20). Telecommunication services are provided while the aircraft (20) is flying and utilize the aircraft's air-to-ground communication system (48) to access a radio communication link (34). Base stations (40) residing in aircraft (20) are configured to transmit at least two independent overhead control data pilot signals (54, 58) in response to instructions from a single controller (44). The control data pilot signals (54, 58) capture and control the subscriber-provided radiotelephones (50). Controlling methods are employed to force autonomous registration of radiotelephones (50) and to instruct radiotelephones (50) to transmit at minimum power levels.