Question about advising aircraft type on first contact

[Thomas Derbyshire]

Hi guys,

 

Pretty new to VATSIM but trying to get into it more recently. When I am advising my aircraft type on first contact should I use the aircraft code? So my commonly used planes are the A2A Comanche which is type PA24, Majestic Q400 which is DH8D, Fslabs A320 which is type A320 (I think) and the PMDG 737-800 which is B738.

 

So do I say "Comanche" or Papa Alpha 24?

Dash 8/Q400 or Delta Hotel 8 Delta?

737 or Bravo738??

 

Probably a really stupid question so feel free to belittle me with your replies.

 

Thanks

[Clarke Kruger]

Use the aircraft name, Piper Comanche, Dash 8-400, Boeing 737-800.

 

Cheers

[Jonathan Fong]

Just use the colloquial name - for instance, "(callsign) is a 737 dash 800..." or "(callsign) is an A320". Most of the time, ATC will understand that just fine. In case ATC asks for clarification, use the full name of the aircraft (i.e. "(callsign) is a Boeing 737 dash 800..." or "(callsign) is an Airbus A320").

[Lindsey Wiebe 1101951]

In real world you'd use the "name" not the code; so as they said above. The only time you'd maybe tweak it a little would be for obscure types, even a Comanche you might want to say "light single Comanche", as there's a twin comanche as well, or for an EC35 which is a Eurocopter "[callsign] Eurocopter light heli". Basically if it's not something they hear normally best to add something that gives them a mental picture of what type you are so they can provide you and the others proper spacing, wake turbulence, expected performance, etc.

[Simon Kelsey]

And just to add to the comments above -- make sure you include the variant where applicable (eg "737-800" vs just "737") as in some cases one model may be in a different wake turbulence category to another, or the performance may be significantly different from a controller's point of view (eg an A340-600 is a much better climber than an A340-300).

[Sean Harrison]

Hi guys,

 

Pretty new to VATSIM but trying to get into it more recently. When I am advising my aircraft type on first contact should I use the aircraft code? So my commonly used planes are the A2A Comanche which is type PA24, Majestic Q400 which is DH8D, Fslabs A320 which is type A320 (I think) and the PMDG 737-800 which is B738.

 

So do I say "Comanche" or Papa Alpha 24?

Dash 8/Q400 or Delta Hotel 8 Delta?

737 or Bravo738??

 

Probably a really stupid question so feel free to belittle me with your replies.

 

Thanks

 

Nowhere near stupid if you ask me. Thomas this is not a requirement across the whole of VATSIM, some ARTCCs have additional requirements such as confirming acft type. Don't get too concerned, they can always politely ask you for any information lacking anyway. As far as previous discussion have gone I thought this was only a clearance on the ground requirement in those places that do require it, but seems they are now saying in some areas you always state your acft type which is indeed news to me.

[Trent Hopkinson]

Hi guys,

 

Pretty new to VATSIM but trying to get into it more recently. When I am advising my aircraft type on first contact should I use the aircraft code? So my commonly used planes are the A2A Comanche which is type PA24, Majestic Q400 which is DH8D, Fslabs A320 which is type A320 (I think) and the PMDG 737-800 which is B738.

 

So do I say "Comanche" or Papa Alpha 24?

Dash 8/Q400 or Delta Hotel 8 Delta?

737 or Bravo738??

 

Probably a really stupid question so feel free to belittle me with your replies.

 

Thanks

 

Nowhere near stupid if you ask me. Thomas this is not a requirement across the whole of VATSIM, some ARTCCs have additional requirements such as confirming acft type. Don't get too concerned, they can always politely ask you for any information lacking anyway. As far as previous discussion have gone I thought this was only a clearance on the ground requirement in those places that do require it, but seems they are now saying in some areas you always state your acft type which is indeed news to me.

 

 

I have heard "state aircraft type on first contact" on ATIS in the UK. Nowhere else really. It's also fairly common to state aircraft type as substitute to the first bit of an aircraft registration callsign (ie N182RG calling in as Cessna 82RG or similar) **

 

** imagine having to call in like that lol. "Cessna 182RG 182RG 1500ft, 10 miles north of KAPT to land"

 

I think the main issue is to let the ATC know the capabilities of the aircraft. so "737" is fairly standard. ATC now knows it will be landing at around 140 knots, is able to maintain an approach speed of 160 to 180 knots to 4dme, but would rather slow before 5dme, and will use about 1400-1800m of runway on landing, and probably has an FMS that can fly an RNAV STAR or approach.

 

They might get confused between what a B463, B36T and a B47G is, but the difference between a "British Aerospace 146", a "Beech Bonanza", and a "Bell 47 helicopter" is more obvious.

 

No point asking the B36T to maintain 180 knots (it can't go that fast even if it tried), or asking the B47G to go 100 knots (same problem). The B47G can go 50 knots, but the B463 can't. etc.

[Simon Kelsey]

I think the main issue is to let the ATC know the capabilities of the aircraft

 

There's a more detailed discussion in the UK section of these forums, but it is much more to do with wake turbulence (though more general performance certainly does come in to it). It is, basically, to stop you ending up upside down in the middle of Hounslow!

 

The reason the procedure exists in real life (and, frankly, on VATSIM as well!) is to ensure that the aircraft type on the flight plan is correct, which is often not the case both in real life and on VATSIM. Sometimes the actual type is very different, and it is obvious what problems might arise if a flightplan says B737 but the actual type is a B777...

 

In the UK at least, you need to give your aircraft type both on requesting your IFR clearance/VFR taxi instructions etc at the stand, or on first contact with the approach controller (so if you're flying in to Heathrow, for instance, you wouldn't need to tell London but you would tell Heathrow Director. However, all the info you need to give will be on the ATIS!).

[Thomas Derbyshire]

Thanks guys, really useful. Had my first flight into controlled London airspace last night from LOWS in the Fslabs A320. Was all going really until the controller logged off as I was about to establish RW08R EGKK oh well I still landed and all was well.