Getting A Call Sign

joethepilot

joethepilot

Well-Known Member
I am looking to put together a letter of agreement with my local approach control for a call sign for our aircraft. Does anyone have experience with this? Can anyone give me some input on how to make it happen or how to grease the gears with the controllers? I left a message today for the guy I was told was responsible for these things at our Tracon, and am awaiting a call back.

In case you're wondering about our details or the "why" question... Its a new Sky Diving operation, we operate out of the same airport every day, make the same calls everyday, and currently are getting a new squawk code several times a day. It would be ideal for us to have a permanent squawk code and call sign, so we could just punch that in, and go and ATC would know, who we are what type of aircraft we were, and what we were up to. We fly in the same general area all the time and therefore don't need a national call sign, just one with the only ATC facility we really talk to.

Any input is appreciated.
 
joethepilot said:
I am looking to put together a letter of agreement with my local approach control for a call sign for our aircraft. Does anyone have experience with this? Can anyone give me some input on how to make it happen or how to grease the gears with the controllers? I left a message today for the guy I was told was responsible for these things at our Tracon, and am awaiting a call back.

In case you're wondering about our details or the "why" question... Its a new Sky Diving operation, we operate out of the same airport every day, make the same calls everyday, and currently are getting a new squawk code several times a day. It would be ideal for us to have a permanent squawk code and call sign, so we could just punch that in, and go and ATC would know, who we are what type of aircraft we were, and what we were up to. We fly in the same general area all the time and therefore don't need a national call sign, just one with the only ATC facility we really talk to.

Any input is appreciated.
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It is fairly simple to get a LOA for callsigns with towers. It is a little more difficult to do it with app and up the ladder.
 
Shouldn't be a problem getting an assigned squawk. I'm assuming you left a voice mail with a staff support specialist. I haven't put in any staff time, but a local LOA should involve the LOA being written up, signed by the the ATM or facility cheif, squawk code being placed in the system and a briefing to the controllers. It shouldn't be that big of a deal on your end. Mostly just dotting I's and crossing Ts. I'm not sure if there would be a hangup on callsign though. We have both skydiving and glider towing ops in my approach airspace. While both have assigned codes from our local bank of codes they all use their N numbers. I believe (but I don't know for sure) callsigns have to be approved and distributed at a national level. Whenever a small time Alaskan bush flying company changes their callsign we all get the briefing.

We did have an instance where some traffic watch helos insisted on using a generic traffic watch callsign that we had no LOA for. That didn't last long without an LOA.
 
When I was teaching at a 141 school we had a paragraph LOA that explained the numbering and callsign the aircraft should use. We were only allowed to use it with tower. As for the squawk codes we usually got one per flight but I see where you are launching a few times an hour where that could be annoying to get a new code every flight.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I did leave a message with the guy. Awaiting a call back. I know there is one other Skydiving operation that is in this TRACON's airspace, and they have a call sign "Skydive 1" and "Skydive 2"... so based on that I'm thinking that they would probably let us have one as well? I'll let you guys know what I find out
 
joethepilot said:
Skydiving operation that is in this TRACON's airspace, and they have a call sign "Skydive 1" and "Skydive 2"... so based on that I'm thinking that they would probably let us have one as well?
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I'd want something more creative - something like "Meat Missile 1" or "Pancake Express".
 
At SEA Approach we have an outfit that does skydiving out of S43 (Harvey Field) and they received a local set of codes. If memory serves me they are 5501, 02, 03, 04. When they tag up they show JMP1 (said Jump One) for 5501 and so on. If you want I could see if I could find the LOA with them and PM it to you.
 
I feel your pain. I received 8 different codes today. It would have been more but one fella happened to be on the game and recognized that my turn around is under 5 minutes.

I usually query if they want me to keep the code, but it seems none of them do. I just cycle through the 02xx series all day.

We've tried to get a LOA but since were working with approach not center it makes it more difficult for us for some reason. It wasn't a problem in GA or TN. Go figure.

Anyway thanks Philly controllers for putting up with me being in your approach corridor :)
 
rherrick said:
At SEA Approach we have an outfit that does skydiving out of S43 (Harvey Field) and they received a local set of codes. If memory serves me they are 5501, 02, 03, 04. When they tag up they show JMP1 (said Jump One) for 5501 and so on. If you want I could see if I could find the LOA with them and PM it to you.
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That would be beyond awesome! Thanks!
 
I know of a glider operation that got a LOA with TRACON to have standing preassigned squawk codes for the tow planes. It was a win-win situation as it alerted ATC to the presence of gliders in the vicinity.
 
Guy said:
I know of a glider operation that got a LOA with TRACON to have standing preassigned squawk codes for the tow planes. It was a win-win situation as it alerted ATC to the presence of gliders in the vicinity.
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Yeah gliders in our area don't talk to us but they have a code that shows up as "GLIDR" on our scopes so we can see them.
 
My aeroclub ( also a part 141 operation) has a TRACON LOA with preassigned squaks and callsigns for every tail number. Generally, a case of beer or a bottle of choice to the local RAPCON chief helps move these things along.
 
Guy said:
I know of a glider operation that got a LOA with TRACON to have standing preassigned squawk codes for the tow planes. It was a win-win situation as it alerted ATC to the presence of gliders in the vicinity.
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Since the gliders here generally don't have transponders, that is probably not a bad idea. Considering we operate in a mode C veil and all. I guess I'll talk to the CP and see if a call to the TRACON is in order.
 
I would give TRACON a call! They will be able to help you out. I know our codes are good for 24 hours. Think of something more unique than Skydive 1 though ;)

And for the people that mentioned Moonshine out in Socal.. if you ever hear us don't be afraid to say hello!

-Jason
 
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