Waypoint Names

[Flying Ted]

Can anyone explain how waypoint names are created? Who creates them and whether there is any particular logic used?

[Clare Prop]

I remember the waypoint Timmy being created about the same time as the character appeared in South Park, and often pronounced the same way

[Desert Flower]

Can anyone explain how waypoint names are created? Who creates them and whether there is any particular logic used?

Some waypoints have been named after people. Others are indicative of a place in the area they're in.

DF.

[Pinky the pilot]

Seem to remember someone once pointing out that the following were (or still are) waypoint names here in Australia at one time.

Aye
Taut
Eye
Saw
Putty
Tat

:hmm:

[Capt Fathom]

Airway between Townsville and Mt.Gordon Mine. Airway long gone.
Maybe the waypoints got 'recycled'.

ITORT EYSAW APUSS ECATT

[CaptainMidnight]

Can anyone explain how waypoint names are created? Who creates them and whether there is any particular logic used?

Prior to about 12 or so years ago they used to be chosen locally by Airservices and its predecessors at their discretion.

Since then due to the use of worldwide databases e.g. in FMS, flight planning software etc. and the potential for duplication, new waypoint names could only be selected from a set allocated to a region by ICAO. I suspect that is probably still the case.

[Gne]

There was a sequence LEAKY BOATS SINKK on the arrival across Moreton Bay and the attached graphic show a sequence that was off the west coast some time ago.

Gne

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/122x569/wonsa_jolly_etc_eb7c960c70ffb31e3fe19edc25cc7126219e54e3.png

[compressor stall]

My favourite, sadly under appreciated, was the Fergi Stoes in Darwin, a fitting reference to the Duchess' proclivities in a French chateaux.

[Gne]

And, along the lines of FERGI etc, some of the sequences used in the routes (please excuse the pun) across central Oz in the mid to late '80's always brought smiles to those in the know.

Ah... those good old days before young Mr Plod came into existence and the alarm clock sounded. .

Gne

[Lead Balloon]

And we all know which peanut farmer's farm was under BJLKE...

[KRviator]

From back before the PC brigade and ICAO got their noses out of joint...the earlier 'Prune thread Clever Waypoint Names (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/174011-clever-waypoint-names.html)

I have a vague memory about 20 years ago you could buy (create your own) a waypoint name with the $$ going to RFDS or something like that. Anyone else remember such a thing?

[CaptainMidnight]

I have a vague memory about 20 years ago you could buy (create your own) a waypoint name with the $$ going to RFDS or something like that. Anyone else remember such a thing?

While that was announced, it promptly got canned because it was deemed that Airservices could not take $ for such things, even if the $ were going to charity (in addition to presenting other issues).

I don't believe any waypoints proposed ever saw the light of day. I do recall being told that some bright spark tried to slip in some offensive 5 letter words, which didn't help matters.

[Desert Flower]

From back before the PC brigade and ICAO got their noses out of joint...the earlier 'Prune thread Clever Waypoint Names (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/174011-clever-waypoint-names.html)

I have a vague memory about 20 years ago you could buy (create your own) a waypoint name with the $$ going to RFDS or something like that. Anyone else remember such a thing?

Yes - one of my mail run pilots had one named after him - STEWI. But you had no say as to where it would be put. His ended up around Darwin I think.

DF

[Ironpot]

Airway between Townsville and Mt.Gordon Mine. Airway long gone.
Maybe the waypoints got 'recycled'.

ITORT EYSAW APUSS ECATT

Its still there! ZZ929

[B Fraser]

That sequence was followed by IDEED :ok:

[Little One]

Waypoints or rather 5LNC (Five-letter-name Code) are issued by the ICAO ICARD (International Codes and Route Designators) System. States have a secure log in and when designing Instrument Flight Procedures and ATS Routes can request or select available 5LNC assigned for the purpose.

The first internet application of the ICAO International Codes and Routes Designators (ICARD) database was deployed in 1998. It was developed to support the allocation process of five-letter name-codes (5LNC) within the ICAO EUR/NAT region. The application was gradually extended to other ICAO Regions from 2005 onwards with ICARD becoming accessible to all ICAO Regions at the end of 2010.

Searching the ICAO site for ICARD gives some information and a description of how the 5LNCs can be selected is available on this link:
https://www.icao.int/NACC/Documents/ECARD/ICARD%20Guidelines%20-%2024Sep2014.pdf

The links to the public website for 5LNCs I believe have been disabled and you need a secure access now.

[Captain Dart]

Inbound to Diego Garcia (not a popular posting for U.S. military) were WATTR - BUMMR - MOMMA. MOMMA was the only one left the last time I was in the area some years ago.

ISTR several thousand US personnel, some 20-odd British military police and admin, wild donkeys, and T-shirts for sale that read ‘Every week is Chicken Chokin’ Week on Diego Garcia’.

[Pinky the pilot]

Airway between Townsville and Mt.Gordon Mine. Airway long gone.
Maybe the waypoints got 'recycled'.

ITORT EYSAW APUSS ECATT

Thanks for that, Capt Fathom.

Makes me wonder if there was ever a Suffrn, Succo and a Tash.

[Arm out the window]

Gotta love GAFFA - not sure if it's still there.

In a similarly silly vein, when Cowes NDB was still there, I used to enjoy hearing people estimating Cowes at time whatever, followed by some smart arse transmitting a lazy 'mooooo'.

[CaptainMidnight]

In the heat of NAS times past, NASUX was created, and still there.

[Cavallier]

I always enjoyed getting cleared to “KINKI”. I think it was either in Calcutta or Nagpur airspace.

[FullWings]

The used to be DEDLI OSAMA on the way into Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Austin, Texas has a Star-Wars themed arrival WINDU SSOLO VADER JEDYE, along with LUKKE XWING; they also have a SHYNR BOCCK BITER, which is a local beer...

I actually think it’s a good idea, as it’s less likely to be misunderstood.

[mustafagander]

I've never understood why when the SY VOR at YSSY was withdrawn that the waypoint replacing it wasn't named SIDDO, SINNY or similar.
I also remember the flight refueling training route in QLD with names like AMPOL, FILUP, MOBIL etc.

[Less Hair]

Reminds me of the Trump waypoints that got renamed.
https://www.avweb.com/news/donald-trump-waypoints-to-be-renamed/

[Gin Jockey]

Seem to remember someone once pointing out that the following were (or still are) waypoint names here in Australia at one time.

Aye
Taut
Eye
Saw
Putty
Tat

:hmm:


If they ever existed, it was copied from the original waypoint sequence in the US. Portsmouth New Hampshire. ITAWT ITAWA PUDYE TTATT IDEED.

[Dan Winterland]

The VOR 05 procedure to Phnom Penh had you flying from LIKME to TODJA.

[Airmann]

If you want to be entertained with names just open any STAR chart for the major airports in the US.

[Dufo]

Arriving to GSP from SW you fly over BEST CONTROLLER WORKS ANGRY TODAY waypoints.
Same place also has PROVEN MICHELIN TYRES ..

[CHfour]

I used to fly with some Australians who found it really funny when instructed to "route MARGO" (It's a waypoint on the way up to Scotland from Manchester)

[Schnowzer]

2003 just east of Perth. Whool, Winda, Wilem, Webbe, Ellis, Troffe.....England!

[CHfour]

I used to fly with some Australians who found it really funny when instructed to "route MARGO" (It's a waypoint on the way up to Scotland from Manchester)

[Checkboard]

I used to fly with some Australians who found it really funny when instructed to "route MARGO" (It's a waypoint on the way up to Scotland from Manchester)
My wife has been told to "Route BIG KOK" before.

(Biggin Hill VOR and Koksi VOR, if anyone is wondering.)

[Deep and fast]

My wife has been told to "Route BIG KOK" before.

(Biggin Hill VOR and Koksi VOR, if anyone is wondering.)

I take it that was something new for her 😂

[Weary]

I've flown all over the world, and wherever you go there are reporting points that have a local meaning or humour.
Going into Gatwick there are STARs that are even named after the Queen's corgis.

[Mogwi]

Not to mention NAKID in the SW approaches and DIKAS in Wales! Made oi larf every time.

Mog

[Mogwi]

Or BENBO, HAWKE and HARDY in the English Channel followed, of course by WAFFU!

[MENELAUS]

Or BENBO, HAWKE and HARDY in the English Channel followed, of course by WAFFU!


And KISSME

[Gne]

Back in the late 1970's the following exchange often broke the monotony of overnight shifts:
"Butterworth, QF 123 we are having trouble calling Bangkok on HF could you please relay a position report ?"
"QF 123 go ahead with your Phuket position"

Gne

[Ascend Charlie]

It was always a hoot to report position in Irian Jaya as we passed Fak Fak. Yes, it sounds just like that other word.

[On eyre]

Back in the day BELINDA was a reporting point between Adelaide and Port Lincoln.
Heard Airlines of South Australia reporting “On top of Belinda…etc”.
Anonymous voice replying “Lucky Belinda”. 😳😳

[Desert Flower]

I used to fly with some Australians who found it really funny when instructed to "route MARGO" (It's a waypoint on the way up to Scotland from Manchester)

It's also an South Australian waypoint - at Ardrossan.

DF.

[Capt Fathom]

For years now, waypoint names are only 5 letters. So BELINDA has long gone!

[On eyre]

Which is why I said “back in the day”. And ASA is long gone too.

[drpixie]

I miss meaningful waypoint names. While the waypoint still exists, does anyone know who "WENDY" was? (Between BLT and AV.)

[Liklik balus]

The name came from Wendy Devereaux an air traffic controller late last century. She moved on and I don't recall what happened to her. There was also a :"Lovey" and ":Paula" both ladies worked in the back office and I am sure there were some others but my memory is fast fading due to my advanced years. Everyone don't get old......it's no fun!!!!!
And I so advise!

[KRviator]

The name came from Wendy Devereaux an air traffic controller late last century. Good thing they used her first name. Can imagine trying to input the surname into the box in turbulence and next thing you know you're heading for Greenland...:}

[Clare Prop]

The waypoint Timmy appeared about the same time as the character in South Park, and was often pronounced the same way.

[C441]

Is "Sheed" still over Essendon?

[markis10]

The name came from Wendy Devereaux an air traffic controller late last century. She moved on and I don't recall what happened to her. There was also a :"Lovey" and ":Paula" both ladies worked in the back office and I am sure there were some others but my memory is fast fading due to my advanced years. Everyone don't get old......it's no fun!!!!!
And I so advise!

IIRC Wendy was quite the character on the Oceanic Sector at Sydney AACC in the late eighties

[601]

Since then due to the use of worldwide databases e.g. in FMS, flight planning software etc.
I could never train one of my navs to figure that I wanted to go to Coffs Harbour not Christchurch when I entered "CH" even thought Coffs was just down the track, not across the ditch.

It was always a hoot to report position in Irian Jaya as we passed Fak Fak

It was even better to say "On the ground - Fak Fak"

[Capn Bloggs]

The waypoint Timmy appeared about the same time as the character in South Park
In memory of Tim Harman (ex ATC), IINM (as was HARMN).

[Global Aviator]

Used to laugh at someone’s sense of humour on the VDPP VOR -
LIKME TOGER…

[Whispering T-Jet]

Is "Sheed" still over Essendon?
Still there!

[Whispering T-Jet]

If you look at ERC High National, west of the line Learmonth to Perth at 110E there is a series of north -south waypoints:
WONSA
JOLLY
SWAGY
CAMBS
BUIYA
BYLLA
BONGS
UNDER
EBARR
TREES

Then there is the STAR into Chicago O'Hare FYTTE 7, ZZIPR Transition which refers to the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team and the Stanley Cup:
WELCM
TEEOO
MITEE
BHAWK
STNLE
CUUP
CHMPN,
Then mysteriously goes industrial with the next waypoints:
FYTTE
MOTRR
COGGS
Then even more mysteriously continues with the Star Trek Waypoints:
SOOLU
KURKK
VULKN

[Merlins Magic]

IIRC Wendy was quite the character on the Oceanic Sector at Sydney AACC in the late eighties

I once heard the waypoint (and subsequent STAR) was given the name in honour of ATC Controller Wendy as stated. The reason was because she was known as the hardest route (😜) in Melbourne.

True or not - still a great story.

[PiperCameron]

I once heard the waypoint (and subsequent STAR) was given the name in honour of ATC Controller Wendy as stated. The reason was because she was known as the hardest route (😜) in Melbourne.

Hardest?!? With a mix of VFR and IFR aircraft all converging in the same area from different directions at the same time, surely you mean "busiest" instead??

After all, we all know where she is! :)

[beached az]

Used to be a STAR at YBBN, SINNK NINE Arrival
via WPTs;

LEAKY
BOATS
SINNK

BAz :ok:

[VH-MLE]

We used to have LARRY, CURLY & MOE west of YPPH some years ago…