Use of full callsigns vs abbreviated

[Keith Smith]

Ever wondered why you have to wait until ATC abbreviates your callsign before you can abbreviate it?

conflicting_callsigns.png (111.68 KiB) Viewed 6396 times

N350KA and N940KA. Woohoo!

Also, don't forget that if you are sent over to another controller, you must use your full callsign on the NEW frequency until THAT controller shortens it, too.

Good times!

[Kangaby]

Australian callsigns are VH-ABC and are abbreviated to ABC, just so you know when you see one, if you haven't already.

[Nick Adams]

As I was logging off a few days ago using "King Air 940KA" as my callsign, I also heard "King Air 0KA" call the controller from somewhere else!

[DrZGard]

My father's last Navajo was N7ZG. That brought some fun responses, it was the full sign and the seven and zero created confusion. We would use zebra to help out now and then.

[Alex Stjepanovic]

Australian callsigns are VH-ABC and are abbreviated to ABC, just so you know when you see one, if you haven't already.

Yup, under Australian rules

Each country has different things and in US(And many other places), your callsign would be "V-BC" when appreviated.

Section 2-4-20 of FAAO 7110.65T explains it(From ATC end that is):

b. Foreign registry. State one of the following:

1. Civil. State the aircraft type or the manufacturer's
name followed by the letters/numbers of the
aircraft registration, or state the letters or digits of the
aircraft registration or call sign.

EXAMPLE-
“Stationair F-L-R-B.”
“C-F-L-R-B.”

NOTE Letters may be spoken individually or phonetically.

2. Air carrier. The abbreviated name of the
operating company followed by the letters or digits of
the registration or call sign.

EXAMPLE-
“Air France F-L-R-L-G.”

3. The flight number in group form, or you may
use separate digits if that is the format used by the
pilot.

EXAMPLE-
“Scandinavian Sixty-eight.”
“Scandinavian Six Eight.”

4. Foreign Military. Except Canada, the name of
the country and the military service followed by the
separate digits or letters of the registration or call
sign. Canadian Forces aircraft shall be identified by
the word “CANFORCE” followed by the separate
digits of the serial number. The Canadian Coast
Guard shall be identified as “Canadian Coast Guard”
followed by the separate digits of the serial number.

EXAMPLE-
“Canforce Five Six Two Seven.”
“Brazilian Air Force Five Three Two Seven Six.”

[Kangaby]

Each country has different things and in US(And many other places), your callsign would be "V-BC" when appreviated.

Well there you go, I've learned something without even trying. I would have completely ignored that.

[Alex Stjepanovic]

That one doesn't, but 2-4-9 does - And it doesn't specify whether the abbreviations apply to only US registry or to all planes, implying that it applies to everyone. After all, it wouldn't make sense to abbreviate some aircraft one way, and others another.

2-4-9. ABBREVIATED TRANSMISSIONS
Transmissions may be abbreviated as follows:
a. Use the identification prefix and the last 3 digits
or letters of the aircraft identification after
communications have been established. Do not
abbreviate similar sounding aircraft identifications or
the identification of an air carrier or other civil aircraft
having an FAA authorized call sign.
REFERENCEFAAO
JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-20, Aircraft Identification.

b. Omit the facility identification after communication
has been established.

c. Transmit the message immediately after the
callup (without waiting for the aircraft's reply) when
the message is short and receipt is generally assured.

d. Omit the word “over” if the message obviously
requires a reply.

The very first part of 2-4-20, does however allow for any call sign to be used as on initial call, until communications are established.

2-4-20. AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION
Use the full identification in reply to aircraft with
similar sounding identifications. For other aircraft,
the same identification may be used in reply that the
pilot used in his/her initial callup except use the
correct identification after communications have
been established. Identify aircraft as follows:

Do you do something different in real life, MF?