Aircraft ICAO Code Question

[motocheme]

I have been flying a Piper Archer, in real life and on PilotEdge, and using the code PA28 (the model number) when asked for my aircraft type for VFR flight following both on the network and real world flying. When I log onto the network I also use PA28 for the aircraft type. When I completed my flight today Keith let me know I should be using P28A as it is the correct ICAO code for the aircraft. Do I use P28A for all cases or just when filing an IFR flight plan? Should I use P28A when I log on to Pilotedge also?

[Steven Winslow]

Yes and yes. I think most controllers, both PE and real world, probably realized your intent when you filed PA28 if they let it slide, but the correct ICAO code is actually P28A.

[Keith Smith]

Yes, use P28A for the aircraft type for connecting to the network and for filing flight plans. "PA28" is not a valid ICAO code, it just happens to be the model name of that Piper. Here's the ICAO DB if it helps for future model selections: http://www.icao.int/anb/ais/8643/

[motocheme]

Thanks for the info. I can't believe I have been doing it wrong for so long!

[Mike Sweeney]

Small clarification: PA28 is no longer a valid ICAO code.
It was changed and split into to P28A, P28B, P28R, P28T, etc (... in/around 1998?)

This is a reason "PA28" still lingers real world on frequencies (ATC and pilot side), old habits die hard

[Keith Smith]

Mike,

That is what we have been saying in this thread

[Keith Smith]

My mistake. I didn't realize there was a time when it WAS a valid ICAO code. Thx of the info, Mike!

[Daddy O]

And the Beech King Air is not a B200, the correct ICAO code is BE20.

[Steven Winslow]

Affirmative on that. The Beech King Air B200GT does indeed have the ICAO code of BE20.

[Steve Caffey]

FYI for everyone, I discovered tonight that ICAO changed their site around ('cause ICAO loves to change things...) Here's the new page for aircraft codes (works the same as the old page):

http://www.icao.int/publications/DOC864 ... earch.aspx