No Callsign?

Phantom017

Phantom017

Up up and awaaaaayyy!
So while flying today I heard the usual "Cherokee 1234X on downwind runway 35", then I heard "Blue and White Cessna skyhawk entering 45 to downwind runway 35"

Question is.... do you use your tail number or the color of your aircraft in the TP call at a non towered airport.

I really had not heard this until this year and now I hear it more and more. Why wouldnt you just use your N number... I mean unless your flying your 172 inverted at 10 ft. while buzzing houses and didnt want to be identified. But then... if so why would you make a call at all.

Just cusious what you guys do and if you have ever used just the color of the A/C
 
Phantom017 said:
So while flying today I heard the usual "Cherokee 1234X on downwind runway 35", then I heard "Blue and White Cessna skyhawk entering 45 to downwind runway 35"

Question is.... do you use your tail number or the color of your aircraft in the TP call at a non towered airport.

I really had not heard this until this year and now I hear it more and more. Why wouldnt you just use your N number...
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Which is easier for other pilots to see and identify in a busy non-towered traffic pattern? The color of the airplane or the N-Number?

I've used it, generally when going to a fly-in at a non-towered airport where many others were doing it for that exact reason - to make it easier for others to visually identify who is making the transmission.
 
Phantom017 said:
Question is.... do you use your tail number or the color of your aircraft in the TP call at a non towered airport.
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I'd much prefer to hear an aircraft type instead of an N number on UNICOM. That way, I can plan my actions around how fast they're moving around the pattern.

I can't think of the last time I used my callsign on UNICOM. Quite honestly, it a) doesn't matter and b) is nobody's business.
 
Ive also been hearing this new trend on the radio. Ive had a few arguments with some guys about it but once I show them that in the AIM is specifically states use the N number, it ends pretty quick.
 
I don't think i've ever used my N number, nor do I ever listen to anyone's N number...Grumman N12345, you are a Grumman to me.

I also say any traffic, please advise. BAM
 
The model and last characters of the call sign.
There is no need to garble the radio if the traffic is light, but if there are 4+ aircraft, I will be a bit more descriptive.
 
There is a little grey tomahawk that uses the call sign little grey tomahawk out in State College, PA. At least we know what we are looking for.
 
I don't see the point of the N-number usage at a CTAF. I just say whatever it is that I am, and I'm doing - " '...' traffic, Yak flight of two , 1 mile initial, 31, '...' traffic "
 
FlynRyan said:
Ive also been hearing this new trend on the radio. Ive had a few arguments with some guys about it but once I show them that in the AIM is specifically states use the N number, it ends pretty quick.
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Oh boy.

I occasional fly a Cherokee that is ALL blue, so I say 'blue Cherokee' if I'm in the pattern at an untowered airport. I use the N# while I'm inbound or entering the pattern, but from there on I'll just say Blue Cherokee. If you don't like it, I just wont use the radio since it also states in the FARs that one isn't required.
 
I use "Twin Cessna 7AM" mainly because it gets across what I want them to know. If it's really busy, I'll include colors...but I honestly haven't flown into many airports with more than one other plane in the pattern at a time.

At the end of the day it's up to the PIC to decide what/how much information to give out with position report.

I will point everyone to this PDF from AOPA:

http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa08.pdf

Be Brief
• It’s more important for pilots to know what kind of
airplane you’re flying than to know your complete
call sign. Knowing the model of airplane will help
other pilots plan their pattern flight relative to you.
The abbreviated version of your call sign takes up
less of valuable air time. It’s also easier for other
pilots to remember a short call sign if they need to
request an update on your position.
• To prevent confusion, use your full call sign whenever
you hear another aircraft with a similar call sign.

Courtesy Tip
These days, a lot of pilots wrap up their initial position
announcements with a request: “Traffic in the area,
please advise.” Don’t be one of them. The phrase is
redundant (we’re all supposed to be listening and selfannouncing
anyway), and it contributes to frequency
congestion. In fact, according to the AIM, it is “not a
recognized self-announce position and/or intention
phrase, and should not be used under any condition.”
 
I know I'm super dangerous, but...

At my last job I said both the N number and the color of the aircraft. "NXXXXX, a blue/white Twin Cessna, 3 mile right base XX." Call the FSDO!
 
Lol, some times I don't even give that. Best bet, type, location, intentions. Or, "Cessna 206, Eldred Rock, 2500' for Haines" is miles better than "123AB is Over Eldred Rock at 2500."
 
My carrier still has us using it. While it may not be required it does prompt others to make the position report. I have not used it in the past and other aircraft didn't make a call after I stated our position/intention. I had to call again and querry the other aircraft.
 
I dunno about stating color or whatever, but normally when I call up at a non-towered airport I will say "Twin-commander 244AC, 5 mile straight in to 31."

gives them the fact that I am a fast twin, call sign, and position.
 
SurferLucas said:
Courtesy Tip
These days, a lot of pilots wrap up their initial position
announcements with a request: “Traffic in the area,
please advise.”
Click to expand...


oh and this little sentence makes me so irritated. sometimes when i hear this, and I might be 20 miles away, I will give a position report, just to accent that it is not necessary.
 
I've never heard of anyone using the color of their aircraft in a radio call. Granted I haven't been flying in awhile, but I can't read the N-numbers on other planes unless they are too close. Just tell me where you are so I know where to look, I could give a crap about what paint scheme you're flying that day.

But I say traffic in the area please advise just to piss everyone off.
 
I_N_the sky said:
oh and this little sentence makes me so irritated. sometimes when i hear this, and I might be 20 miles away, I will give a position report, just to accent that it is not necessary.
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Don't forget a jet or t-prop and going to that field will cover that 20 miles in less than 5 minutes. While technically incorrect I don't have a problem with it. I have responded to that and told the aircraft calling that we were a B727 at XX miles from the filed and would be landing on rwy X. They elected to stay on the ground until we landed.

OMG they only used an extra 3 seconds of airtime.

The AIM is only advisory in nature and not regulatory.
 
Some places use college degree's as a filter, but when we get a jet and i'm looking to hire a co-pilot, i'm going to filter anyone who gets pissed or moans about people saying "traffic in the area", because if that annoys you, I know we will not get along. :)
 
FlynRyan said:
Ive also been hearing this new trend on the radio. Ive had a few arguments with some guys about it but once I show them that in the AIM is specifically states use the N number, it ends pretty quick.
Click to expand...

You don't happen to be a newly minted CFI from a pilot factory or aeronautical collage, do you? I'm asking because I'm both curious and it just seems characteristic of not having ventured too far outside of a specific training box.

If I'm wrong about that, I'd like to know too.

But to the OP -

with ATC it's the type & call sign.

On CTAF it's aircraft type & location. The reason is that there aren't a hoarde of King Airs coming into the field.

On CTAF at a busy field with many similar planes (5 172s) then I would be calling type and last 3 numbers.
 
MikeOH58 said:
Some places use college degree's as a filter, but when we get a jet and i'm looking to hire a co-pilot, i'm going to filter anyone who gets pissed or moans about people saying "traffic in the area", because if that annoys you, I know we will not get along. :)
Click to expand...

LOL. i would say I am pretty easy going, it doesnt piss me off, I guess you have to know me. I get so bored up there. I also like to do impressions, using foreign accents and stuff. trying to break the monotony. If you like to have a good time and enjoy flying, we would get along just fine.
 
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