Airliner - Call Sign

Questions and comments about the PE Pilot Training Program
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ChristophPreinfalk
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:00 am

Airliner - Call Sign

Post by ChristophPreinfalk »

I'd like to do some turbo prop TEC route flights with the Q400 as an airliner. I think the way the call sign is made up of the airline and the flight number. So I guess on PE I'll make up my own flight number (e.g. 383, and let's say I'm Continental Airlines) and then say "John Wayne Clearance, Continental 383 request IFR clearance to ...". Then, when I'm in communication, I'll say e.g. "taxi via alpha lima, 383". Is that about right?

(What I'd like to do is find Q400 flights in the PE area on FlightAware and then fly them on PE.)
Ryan Geckler
Posts: 262
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:42 pm

Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by Ryan Geckler »

Always use the full callsign when communicating; "taxi via Alpha, Lima, Continental Three Eighty-Three".
Ryan Geckler | ERAU CTI Graduate
PilotEdge Air Traffic Control Specialist
julio.elizalde
Posts: 176
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:12 pm

Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by julio.elizalde »

I like to fly SkyWest routes using the Jetstream 41. They have some of the more standard routes:

LAX-SBA, LAX-SBP, LAX-SMX, LAX-PSP, LAX-CRQ, LAX-SAN, PSP-LAS

And some more unusual airport destinations:

LAX-IPL (Imperial County Airport)
LAX-IYK (Inyokern AIrport)
LAX-NYL (Yuma International Airport)
LAX-SGU (St. George Airport)

Be careful with SGU - that airport was recently re-opened. I had to download scenery for FSX to get the new airport and correct navigational aids.
Julio Elizalde
PilotEdge Air Traffic Control Specialist & Controller Instructor
PP-ASEL
Keith Smith
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Location: Pompton Plains, NJ
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Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by Keith Smith »

Air carrier callsigns are not shortened. You're confusing them with regular civil registrations.
ChristophPreinfalk
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:00 am

Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by ChristophPreinfalk »

Thank you for the replies!
ChristophPreinfalk
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:00 am

Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by ChristophPreinfalk »

I just realized that the PE online flight plan filing form doesn't have any field for Airline and flight number, and I already filed the plan (realized it afterwards ...) Can I tell the clearance controller the airline and flight number, or how does it work?
julio.elizalde
Posts: 176
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:12 pm

Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by julio.elizalde »

If you look up any major flight on Flightaware.com they'll be listed with their ICAO identifier and flight number. For example:

Southwest: SWA
Virgin America:VRD
JetBlue: JBU

Flights will be listed as SWA123, VRD123, JBU123. Find the three letter identifier and then add the flight number after and you have your callsign to log in with.
Julio Elizalde
PilotEdge Air Traffic Control Specialist & Controller Instructor
PP-ASEL
ChristophPreinfalk
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:00 am

Re: Airliner - Call Sign

Post by ChristophPreinfalk »

Ah! That makes sense. Thank you!
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