What price a callsigh

[Clare Prop]

Am interested in a callsign that is on another aircraft and would like to make an offer. They say it is "historical" and may be reluctant to change it.

But, not sure where to start, obviously will need to pay for a repaint of new callsign on old aircraft, what other things determine the value of a callsign, apart of course from how much I am prepared to pay for it?

Would be interested in any thoughts from people who have experience of doing this, thanks!

[Erebus]

desirable callsign

I recall a story from the 1970s, when an owner-pilot with the surname of Rear, unsuccesssfully tried to persuade the owner of VH BUM to part with it. He ended up settling for VH ARS instead.
No help to you, of course, but a good story anyway.

[Biggles_in_Oz]

Yikes.
A whole repaint of a light GA aircraft will set you back around $10k to $15k.
so I guess the new CASA change-of-registration-mark charge of $130 won't matter all that much

You can do a localised paint job near the existing regos, but the painter will probably swear at you as they try to match the existing colour shade(s).

I managed to get callsigns that meant something to me. (but not to too many others !)

[paleale]

Your not trying to score VH-CUM off General flying services are you


Pale

[poteroo]

Many years back a mate of mine was looking for his initials as a callsign and contacted the owner of the aircraft with them on.

He got rather lucky because the owner had long since pranged the aircraft, but, surprise, surprise, had never reported it. So, he bought the wreckage, deregistered it, and so got the callsign.

If you are lucky enough to have an 'EXPERIMENTAL' aircraft with stick-on computor cut numbers, then all you need is a heatgun and some care to get them off.

happy days,

[triadic]

Back in the late '60's not long after rego's were frozen post the introduction of a computer system to record same, a well know retailer in WA by the name of 'Tom the cheap' purchased a HS125 and then an Aztec which was registered VH-TOM. He sold the Aztec o/s and secured the rego...!

[Poto]

ARS- trusty little 206 always got a laugh from the approach controllers

[Blue Sky Baron]

Clare,

I guess it depends on how much you want the rego.

You would have to have very deep pockets to get my rego as I love it, and it does have some interesting history.

Found out that it was originally allocated to a Dragon Rapide DH89A used by The Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade which crashed into the sea off Qld., and then to its replacement, another Rapide, which also crashed into the sea off Qld.

Luckily I'm not superstitious as I've flown over both areas a couple of times!

I've had quite a few approaches from interested parties but I'm reluctant to part with it. What is the rego you want?

BSB

[Lord Snot]

Could well be

VH-CUM

is he's looking to purchase a

callsigh

[Howard Hughes]

Heard on Melbourne departures last friday "Steinlager Two One", how much for that one?
Am I allowed to have "VeeBee"?

[VH-XXX]

I wanted VH-XXX but they wouldn't let me have it :-(

I've heard of $5k for just a standard rego, yet a guy offered me his free if I paid for the expense of fitting new letters on his aircraft.

Luck of the draw...

I love hearing VH-CCC or "Triple Charlie" - belonging to Crown Casino Corporation! Also, Romeo, Romeo, Romeo always draws a comment from ATC in Albury.

As for callsigns, any charter operation can obtain a private rego from Airservices for callsign and billing purposes.

Eg. Parrot 1, Parrot2, Moorabin Flight Training might just become Moorabbin 1.... all you've gotta do is ask and you can get anything you want within reason. Eg. Lindsay Fox - Fox 1.

[Torres]

In another life a decade ago I sold the IATA Airline Code "EW" to EuroWings of Germany for US$45,000.

Depends how badly you want the registration. Most things have a price.

[Lord Snot]

Overheard in Europe:

"Formula One"

Apparently it's the callsign of some F1 driver's corporate ride.

[buzz box]

the best one i've heard is VH-HHH, referred to by ATC as '3 pubs'....classic

[paulthornton]

Originally Posted by Lord Snot

Overheard in Europe:
"Formula One"
Apparently it's the callsign of some F1 driver's corporate ride.

If I recall correctly, "Formula One" is the callsign used by Bernie Ecclestone's Falcon 2000 - N999BE.

Of course, however flash the callsign is, nothing starts "Speedbird Concorde" any more so they all pale into insignificance

Paul.

[John Eacott]

Originally Posted by VH-XXX

As for callsigns, any charter operation can obtain a private rego from Airservices for callsign and billing purposes.

Eg. Parrot 1, Parrot2, Moorabin Flight Training might just become Moorabbin 1.... all you've gotta do is ask and you can get anything you want within reason. Eg. Lindsay Fox - Fox 1.

Airservices have put a hold on task specific callsigns: we applied back in September, and finally got an e mail that no more were to be issued pending a review, in December. Argument put forward was that many of the callsigns (especially airline ones with 4 digits following the c/s) are too long!

Re the changing of letters on an aircraft, most fuselage ones are stick on these days, although the underwing rego's tend to be painted on. Certainly doesn't need a total repaint to change, I've changed a few on my machines over the years. And scored my initials, many years ago

[tinpis]

Heard many years ago near Rocky a gaggle of Winjeels
"One potato.....two potato.....three potato.....four ! "

[Capt Claret]

I have vague recollections of CUMing years ago. A Citabria isn't it?

[Howard Hughes]

Originally Posted by Capt Claret

I have vague recollections of CUMing years ago. A Citabria isn't it?

It is indeed!!

[tinpis]

And ZK-CUN used to cop a few "tangos"