Call Sign

Fly_Unity

Fly_Unity

Well-Known Member
Anyone know how to create a call sign and register it with ATC (ie Skywest 456 instead of N12345)?

Im looking to do this at our company.

Also is there any limitations on this? like where we can or can not use this?
 
I think it has to do with writing an LOA between your company and your local ATC facility. I know this is how a lot of law enforcement and EMS helicopters get discreet callsigns and squawk codes (i.e. local LE helo negotiates callsign "POLICE 1" and a discreet squawk code 1234 with ATC. That code then becomes reserved for "POLICE 1," and ATC knows it's them whether or not they're in 2-way radio contact.) At least that's how I always understood the process. Getting the callsign only is probably simpler.
 
I looked into this a while back. If you get a LOA with your local tracon it's pretty easy but the callsign and associated squawk are only good with that facility. To get a callsign recognized nationally I think you have to be a commercial operator.


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Is it me or did this thread end up in the "pictures from the road" section ?
 
Fly_Unity said:
Anyone know how to create a call sign and register it with ATC (ie Skywest 456 instead of N12345)?

Im looking to do this at our company.

Also is there any limitations on this? like where we can or can not use this?
Click to expand...
You have to get a letter of agreement. I forget specifically but I think you submit five different radiotelephony call sign candidates and five different three-letter identifier pairs, and then the FAA/powers that are decide which one you get. I'd call the local FSDO. If they don't control the process they'll know who does.

Don't EVER use one without being awarded it with the LOA process. Don't just make up your own and file flight plans with it. Please. Thank you.

trafficinsight can probably provide something more concrete.
CFI A&P said:
Is it me or did this thread end up in the "pictures from the road" section ?
Click to expand...
No.
 
We first had to convince them that we really really wanted one (part 91 yaaaay), then it was pretty much as AB stated, we submitted different callsigns and three letters and ended up with the one we have. You get a letter stating that your company is authorized to use the call sign and three letter and there you have it. It was really easy once we got past the whole "Why do you want that?" "We just DO OKAY?!!!!oneone"

I don't remember if we did it through the local FSDO or if there was someone in OKC we had to talk to, but your local FSDO should at least be able to direct you to the right person.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Don't EVER use one without being awarded it with the LOA process. Don't just make up your own and file flight plans with it. Please. Thank you.
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We can look it up in the computer to see if you're making it up, so don't try it! Lol, actually we'll probably just say "What's the callsign?" and go with whatever you say. But we can look it up.
 
CFI A&P said:
Is it me or did this thread end up in the "pictures from the road" section ?
Click to expand...

FYI, it's helpful if you use the "Report" function, otherwise the error might not be spotted by a Moderator or Administrator. Thanks!
 
We have a cargo DC-9 that flies out of here regularly that uses it's tail number instead of a call sign. Also, did the "Dotcom" fad finally go away? Heard a lot of:
ATC: "Traffic is a company Falcon, follow him."
Aircraft: "Uh, he isn't one of ours, we're going somewhere else."
ATC: "Oh, then why are you using the same call sign?!?11?1"
 
dotcom was fltplan.com's way around the whole "can't block tail numbers anymore" thing. If you filed with fltplan.com and, I think, paid for the service they would generate a random "dotcom" callsign and flight number so you couldn't be tracked.

It's still around but since they reinstated the ability to block it's probably not used as much.
 
I like seeing new callsigns and figuring them out. Had this exchange with a "RSP" or "Redstripe" the other day.


Blah, Blahh, blah

Me: Was that R-S-P 123* checking in?

RSP123: Yes it's R-S-P123 level 9,000, it's Redstripe 123, like the beer.

Me: Ahh I like it, Redstripe 123 climb and maintain 15,000.

RSP123: 15,000 Redstripe 123

Me: Just so we're clear I like the callsign, the beer is ,eh, just alright.

RSP123: Hehe We feel the same way.
 
My favorite is DLX -- Dreamline. Always found in remarks: "Dreamline, not DreamlineR."

Controller response: "DreamlinERRR 123..."
 
I'm sure your local FSDO can assist you with the process.

I'd assume it just has to go through some sort of approval with the FAA to authorize it. We get briefing sheets quite frequently with new ones that are put in the system.

As far as what you can use, as long as it is not close to one already used - I've seen some pretty funny names out there.
 
TripSix said:
I'm sure your local FSDO can assist you with the process.

I'd assume it just has to go through some sort of approval with the FAA to authorize it. We get briefing sheets quite frequently with new ones that are put in the system.

As far as what you can use, as long as it is not close to one already used - I've seen some pretty funny names out there.
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Correct me if you disagree but I am pretty sure somebody who had some balls could make something random up and we would never know XTC123 or "Ecstasy 123" wasn't a legit callsign. Or does FSS have some way of verifying legit ID's?
 
boondr said:
Correct me if you disagree but I am pretty sure somebody who had some balls could make something random up and we would never know XTC123 or "Ecstasy 123" wasn't a legit callsign. Or does FSS have some way of verifying legit ID's?
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Once upon a time, I was trying to pull a flight plan for GTXxxx, as something was just not meshing correctly. I tried, I got help to try...and eventually I end up on a landline with flight service. After an excruciating conversation that had me wanting to kick puppies, we determine they filed it as BIGDxxx (it was called in over freq). So no, I would guess they don't have the ability to verify, wouldn't know how to if they did, and have the capability to put whatever they (or someone else) want in the system.

That being said, I'm sure somewhere the agency has the authority to poke someone's eyes out with a rusty nail if they intentionally filed and flew under an "unauthorized" prefix.

I've personally only looked up one. I just HAD to know who was so full of awesome they flew a GLF5 and got to call themselves "Batman." And yes, I asked what color the plane was, I couldn't help myself.
 
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