SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 21, 2002


                                AirGate PCS, Inc.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                  027455                    58-2422929
            --------                  ------                    ----------
(State or other Jurisdiction    (Commission File No.)       (I.R.S. Employer
       of Incorporation)                                   Identification No.)

           233 Peachtree Street, N.E.                     30303
                                                          -----
           Harris Tower, Suite 1700,                   (Zip Code)
                Atlanta, Georgia
    (Address of principal executive offices)




       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (404) 525-7272




                                 Not Applicable

          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)






Item 9.           Regulation FD Disclosure.

     On October 21, 2002, AirGate PCS, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AirGate"),
issued a press release  announcing  it has appointed  William H. Seippel as vice
president and chief financial  officer.  Mr. Seippel  replaces Alan B. Catherall
who is leaving the company to pursue  other  business  interests.  A copy of the
press release referenced above is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)      Exhibits.

       Exhibit No.   Description

       99.1          Press Release of AirGate PCS, Inc. dated October 21, 2002




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                        AIRGATE PCS, INC.


Date: October 29, 2002
                                        By: /s/Thomas M. Dougherty
                                            -----------------------
                                            Thomas M. Dougherty,
                                            Chief Executive Officer