International Call signs

[Vincent Meier]

I was listening to some ATC recordings and heard Keith say that if you had an international call sign that you had to state it in it's entirety during communications.
My call sign is C-FEGU and after the initial call to ATC I have always abbreviated it. Am I wrong in doing this? Or is it because we share a border that you let me get away with it?

[Keith Smith]

Since there are very few regulations around what pilots have to say on the radio, I'd say you're ok. Unfortunately, the regs that allow controllers to shorten callsigns only apply to US registrations, so they're supposed to say the whole thing every time. It's a significant chunk of workload and slows down the frequency, but it's unavoidable. I know Angelo has started flying with US registrations, thankfully. Not that we didn't love saying "C-GJZZ" in full....every time.

[Orest Skrypuch]

Unfortunately, the regs that allow controllers to shorten callsigns only apply to US registrations, so they're supposed to say the whole thing every time ...

I was not aware of that. I probably spend more time in US airspace, than in Canadian, and C F C P O is indeed the usual call from ATC, but not always. Cherokee C P O does sometimes slip in, especially in the near border areas.

* Orest

[Steven Winslow]

I listen to the KBZN channel on LiveATC quite often and I hear the controllers here shorten the Canadian call signs frequently. Usually they call out the aircraft type and then the last two or three letters.

[bruce]

Certainly the rule in the UK is that do not abbreviate your c/s until after the initial contact AND (I believe) ATC has abbreviated it.

On PE I abide by the first part of that rule & ignore the second part