Airfield codes
Joined: Mar 2003
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 225
Likes: 21
From: London, England
I agree with WorkingHard. Annoyingly there seems to be a 'train-spotter' element to private flying. Although I've not noticed it too much in the outside world....only in here. I wonder why. 
Sub Judice Angel Lovegod
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: London
EGTx? UK FIR codes?
TP, TF and TK were all built as Fighter command bases in the early years of the war. I wonder if T stood for airfields originally built for military use then handed over to the civvies. But then Biggin would be TB, not KB. Fascinating subject. Quite riveting. Thanks, WorkingHard for starting the thread and bringing our attention to it.
Had to learn the ICAO codes when I did my time working in airline flight ops.
Timothy
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
I was only pulling FFF's leg, though. He is mostly right.
Thanks, WorkingHard for starting the thread and bringing our attention to it
FFF
----------------
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 0
From: UK
Quite right, you need a sense of humour in this life but it seems sadly lacking in some. If you want to use ICAO codes then that is your right and choice and whilst I think it isoft out of place I would defend to the end your right to use them. So those who think I wish to dictate how you express anything think again. Some will like it others will ignore it.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: europe
Then there is the clarity issue when reporting airfield of departure and destination. Try pronuncing Reims as a French aviator would.
Much easier is LIMA FOX(trot)QUEBEC ALFA, and it is also clear which Reims airfield is actually your destination.
Much easier is LIMA FOX(trot)QUEBEC ALFA, and it is also clear which Reims airfield is actually your destination.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: 40N, 80W
WorkingHard
-------- Quote --------
..... So why the hell do people use designated codes instead on recognisable names?
Perversity? Trying to sound "professional"? ....
------------------------------
Posts: 230 | From: UK |
---- End quote -------
I see you are "From: UK". Did you hesitate for a second in writing "UK" rather than "United Kingdom"? Probably not.
I am not a professional pilot, but I suspect most professionals do not hesitate to use codes for the same reason.
-------- Quote --------
..... So why the hell do people use designated codes instead on recognisable names?
Perversity? Trying to sound "professional"? ....
------------------------------
Posts: 230 | From: UK |
---- End quote -------
I see you are "From: UK". Did you hesitate for a second in writing "UK" rather than "United Kingdom"? Probably not.
I am not a professional pilot, but I suspect most professionals do not hesitate to use codes for the same reason.
Last edited by PickyPerkins; 16th March 2004 at 23:19.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'd have thought in these days of GPS the knowledge of ICAO's would be of positive benefit if you're trying to program the bloody thing!
However, I too know them from my previous career in Flight Ops. It's rather like the phonetic alphabet, most people in Aviation know it (even if they've not needed to learn it for flying) - if you hear them often enough you remember them.
ISTR that there was an article in Pilot years ago about the coding - the only thing I can remember is Llanbedr as EGOD - the writer wondered if there was a connection with the local church!?
LL - London
BB- Birmingham
CC - Er, well Manchester...
GP - Running out of ideas now.
However, I too know them from my previous career in Flight Ops. It's rather like the phonetic alphabet, most people in Aviation know it (even if they've not needed to learn it for flying) - if you hear them often enough you remember them.
ISTR that there was an article in Pilot years ago about the coding - the only thing I can remember is Llanbedr as EGOD - the writer wondered if there was a connection with the local church!?
LL - London
BB- Birmingham
CC - Er, well Manchester...
GP - Running out of ideas now.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
From: Witnesham, Suffolk
There was once a logic to it, based on a mix of "regional" codes for civilian ones, and "type" for military ones.
The "hub" of each civilian group had the "two letters" version - AA for Belfast, BB for BBrum, CC for that place I don't fly to, LL for LLunnun, FF for cardiFF, KK for gatwiKK etc. The satellite fields then started at xA and worked up.
T was FIRs and such, and airfields that didn't fit the system.
E is new, and is the Scottish islands (mostly).
I think the pattern got lost as codes were allocated "on request" - hence Sx is Stansted and East Anglia, except for Sheff City that wanted EGSC.
Bit esoteric, really.
The "hub" of each civilian group had the "two letters" version - AA for Belfast, BB for BBrum, CC for that place I don't fly to, LL for LLunnun, FF for cardiFF, KK for gatwiKK etc. The satellite fields then started at xA and worked up.
T was FIRs and such, and airfields that didn't fit the system.
E is new, and is the Scottish islands (mostly).
I think the pattern got lost as codes were allocated "on request" - hence Sx is Stansted and East Anglia, except for Sheff City that wanted EGSC.
Bit esoteric, really.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: Oop North, UK
EVO
Sorry Evo - you lose this one i think, under its civilian code EGUS is EGH F, the first code is Government so it normally has a U or V as its third letter.
(Edited and note made to learn to spell
)
So EGUS wouldn't be on the Solent then....?
(Edited and note made to learn to spell
)
Last edited by foxmoth; 17th March 2004 at 16:05.
serves me right for trying to be a smart@rse ... i'll leave that to Timothy Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 856
Likes: 0
From: I sell sea shells by the sea shore
Keef has the history essentially correct.
The groupings were to do with the airfields Parent AFTN Station. Not all places were, or indeed are, connected to the AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network) so several geographical "parent" stations with new fangled things like on line TTY were established to deal with Flight Plan Messages, Class 1 NOTAMS etc.
Comms not being what they are today, several airfeilds didn't "fit" the system. These parentless stations were all lumped in with FIR desigantors (for example EGTE), the station being EGTT (LONDON FIR)
Oh, for EVO.. EGUF (RAE Farnborough) became EGLF in it's civilian guise.
hmmm... I'll get me anorak....
Rgds BEX
The groupings were to do with the airfields Parent AFTN Station. Not all places were, or indeed are, connected to the AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network) so several geographical "parent" stations with new fangled things like on line TTY were established to deal with Flight Plan Messages, Class 1 NOTAMS etc.
Comms not being what they are today, several airfeilds didn't "fit" the system. These parentless stations were all lumped in with FIR desigantors (for example EGTE), the station being EGTT (LONDON FIR)
Oh, for EVO.. EGUF (RAE Farnborough) became EGLF in it's civilian guise.
hmmm... I'll get me anorak....
Rgds BEX
aceatco, retired
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: one airshow or another
Luton use to be EGLN, linked by AFTN to Heathrow. Then the Croydon Communications Centre opened (EGGG) so Luton became EGGW. I went to Croydon CC in the early 70s; it was full of, er, teleprinters . . . . .
Similarly Elstree use to be EGLE and became EGTR.
It always amuses me hearing people complain about codes. Use 'em, you'll soon learn 'em.
Like METAR 'Why can't METARs be in plain language?' I thought they already were!
Anoraks R Us
Similarly Elstree use to be EGLE and became EGTR.
It always amuses me hearing people complain about codes. Use 'em, you'll soon learn 'em.
Like METAR 'Why can't METARs be in plain language?' I thought they already were!
Anoraks R Us
Sub Judice Angel Lovegod
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: London
i'll leave that to Timothy
I'm sorry, but this is the kind of thread that cries out to be laughed at. I'll stop if you like
Timothy
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
From: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
You could always do what we do, and remember them by silly names!
i.e.
EGMC - Southend (Mussels and Cockles)
EGPF - Glasgow (Paisley F***ers)... or Pick a Fight!
EGDL - RAF Lyenham (Des Lyneham)
EGHI - Southampton (Hampshire International)
EGHR - Goodwood (Horse racing)
etc etc
i.e.
EGMC - Southend (Mussels and Cockles)
EGPF - Glasgow (Paisley F***ers)... or Pick a Fight!
EGDL - RAF Lyenham (Des Lyneham)
EGHI - Southampton (Hampshire International)
EGHR - Goodwood (Horse racing)
etc etc
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: DNMM/UK
Reasons i prefer to use codes
1. they fit into the logbook columns easily, try putting Nottingham International London East Midlands Airport of Derbyshire in Leicestershire in your logbook.
2. Airfields in the Uk have become obsessed with 'rebranding ' , i don't believe codes change very often.
3. if you are a regular user of notams, flight plans, metars, tafs, GPS, etc you'll be wondering what the point of this thread is. There lots of airports around the world with the same name or similar sounding names
BTW What exactly is wrong with being 'professional'?
Capt M
1. they fit into the logbook columns easily, try putting Nottingham International London East Midlands Airport of Derbyshire in Leicestershire in your logbook.
2. Airfields in the Uk have become obsessed with 'rebranding ' , i don't believe codes change very often.
3. if you are a regular user of notams, flight plans, metars, tafs, GPS, etc you'll be wondering what the point of this thread is. There lots of airports around the world with the same name or similar sounding names
BTW What exactly is wrong with being 'professional'?
Capt M