The AIM in and of itself is not a regulation, it is strictly advisory. Having said that, what is printed in the AIM is very well thought out, and I do my best to follow it, because I realize that I want as much as is possible to go my way when I fly. If the AIM says to do something, I do it, if the AIM says not to do something, I don't do it. Hence the use of a landing light. Only speaking in the part 91 world here, I don't have to use my landing light, it is in the AIM, but it is up to me, put I can't think of one good reason not to use it. As far as the feds getting you on not responding to ATPA, how would they know you even heard it. It is an uncontrolled airport, so you don't have to have a radio, let only have that radio turned on. Personally, I think it is stupid not to use the radio, as I've said in the past, I make all proper radio transmissions, regardless of whether I'm the only plane in the pattern, or if their are 10 in the pattern.
NewYorkophile, you're right it is not proper terminology, I don't think that is what people are arguing here, the fact is that the FAA, in bold, in the AIM, says not to do that. It sounds to me like they really don't want you to do it. Think about it, there are 3 planes in the pattern, someone says ATPA, and all 3 respond at once. Has anything been accomplished, NO. The bottom line is that the pilots, who are capable of making radio transmissions, that do not, are the offenders. If everyone that could make radio transmissions, did, and everyone followed a proper pattern, outside of those on a straight in instrument approach, I don't think we would even be having this conversation. The ones who do not follow proper radio phraseology, and do not fly proper patterns, are the ones making uncontrolled airports more dangerous, not the other way around, as some have argued in this thread!