Course
Callsigns
Aeronautical stations
Stations are identified by the place name followed by a suffix indicating the service provided.
| Service | Suffix | |
|---|---|---|
| Area control | CONTROL | |
| Radar | RADAR | |
| Approach control | APPROACH | |
| Aerodrome control | TOWER | |
| Ground movement control | GROUND | |
| Precision approach radar | TALKDOWN | |
| Flight information | INFORMATION | |
| Air/ground service (AGCS) | RADIO | |
| Clearance delivery | DELIVERY |
An "Information" unit (FISO) or "Radio" (AGCS operator) does NOT issue control clearances.
Aircraft callsigns
- On first contact, the aircraft uses the FULL callsign of both stations.
- The callsign may then be abbreviated, but ONLY after the ground station has abbreviated it first.
- The manufacturer, model or category name (helicopter, gyrocopter) may precede the callsign.
- Callsign type is not changed in flight, unless instructed by ATC because of similar callsigns on frequency.
- HEAVY or SUPER wake-turbulence category aircraft add that word after their callsign on first contact.
First contact
« Borton Tower, G-ABCD »
initial call
« G-ABCD, Borton Tower, pass your message »
tower reply
Abbreviations
| Full | Abbreviated | |
|---|---|---|
| G-BFRM | G-RM | |
| Speedbird G-BGDC | Speedbird DC | |
| N31029 | N029 | |
| Piper G-BSZT | Piper ZT | |
| Helicopter G-ABCD | Helicopter CD | |
| Midland 640 | no abbreviation |