Question regarding a JAA question..

[SeattlePilot]

I have been working on Bristol qdb and there is the following question in VFR Comm. section:

Code:

What is the abbreviated call sign for XY-ABC?

The answer is Y-BC.. which is fine..

The next question is

Code:

What is the abbreviated call sign for Cherokee XY-ABC?

to which I chose 'Cherokee Y-BC'.. Well, turns out (According to the answer key) I am wrong.. The right answer is given as 'Cherokee BC'..

Is this a Bristol goof up or not?

thanks.

[Captain007]

'Cherokee BC' is indeed the correct abbreviation for 'Cherokee XY-ABC'.

Refer to CAP 413 Section 1.8.2

The example they give is: 'Piper GBSZT' abbreviated as 'Piper ZT'.

Hope this helps...

[selfin]

The abbreviation of callsign XY-ABC to Y-BC is not an ICAO Standard, nor is it a filed 'UK Difference.'

The abbreviation of a Piper Cherokee with registration XY-ABC to Cherokee Y-BC is also not an ICAO Standard. Under the "Note" to the ICAO Standard (see below) and, or, the UK Difference (see below) presently filed it is permitted to use the abbreviation Cherokee BC or Cherokee ABC or Piper BC or Piper ABC. Had you been given the example of a Piper Cherokee with registration X-YBC then it is permitted to select Cherokee YBC as a legitimate abbreviation.

For callsign XY-ABC the only abbreviations, disregarding the use of the aircraft manufacturer/model names, commensurate with the ICAO Standard (and in respect of which, for this example, neither a UK Difference is filed nor is an appropriate NOTAM active) are X-BC and X-ABC. The retention of more than two of the last characters in a 'type a' abbreviated callsign in the UK is uncommon but it is not prohibited. In any case it shall not be the pilot who decides.

The Standard establishing this rule falls under ICAO Annex 10, Vol. II, Para. 5.2.1.7.2.2 "Abbreviated call signs" (as of 6th Edition, Oct. 2001). The Standard reads as follows:


5.2.1.7.2 Radiotelephony call signs for aircraft

5.2.1.7.2.1 Full call signs

5.2.1.7.2.1.1 An aircraft radiotelephony call sign shall be
one of the following types:

Type a) — the characters corresponding to the registration
marking of the aircraft; or

Type b) — the telephony designator of the aircraft operating
agency, followed by the last four characters of
the registration marking of the aircraft;

Type c) — the telephony designator of the aircraft
operating agency, followed by the flight
identification.

Note 1.— The name of the aircraft manufacturer or of the
aircraft model may be used as a radiotelephony prefix to the
Type a) call sign (see Table 5-1).

Note 2.— The telephony designators referred to in Types b)
and c) are contained in Doc 8585 — Designators for Aircraft
Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services.

Note 3.— Any of the foregoing call signs may be inserted in
field 7 of the ICAO flight plan as the aircraft identification.
Instructions on the completion of the flight plan form are
contained in PANS-ATM, Doc 4444.

5.2.1.7.2.2 Abbreviated call signs

5.2.1.7.2.2.1 The aircraft radiotelephony call signs shown
in 5.2.1.7.2.1.1, with the exception of Type c), may be
abbreviated in the circumstances prescribed in 5.2.1.7.3.3.1.
Abbreviated call signs shall be in the following form:

Type a) — the first character of the registration and at
least the last two characters of the call sign;

Type b) — the telephony designator of the aircraft
operating agency, followed by at least the last
two characters of the call sign;

Type c) — no abbreviated form.

Note.— Either the name of the aircraft manufacturer or of
the aircraft model may be used in place of the first character
in Type a).

Table 5-1 available here.

----------------------------

The UK Differences w.r.t. the above are contained in GEN 1-7 - 36:

There is a UK Difference filed for 5.2.1.7.2.2.1 of Annex 10 Vol II, 6th Ed, AMDT 83:

In the UK, the name of either the aircraft manufacturer, or name of
the aircraft model, or name of the aircraft category (eg helicopter
or gyrocopter) may be used as a prefix to the callsign.

----------------------------

Your username suggests you started out under the FAA system. In which case it might be worth commenting that the FAA abbreviates to the last three characters:

AIP (United States of America) of 12-MAR-2009 - GEN 3-4 (20th Edition), para. 4.4.3.2, the following being unaffected by Amendment 1 of 27-AUG-2009,

4.4.3.2 Pilots, therefore, must be certain that aircraft
identification is complete and clearly identified
before taking action on an ATC clearance. ATC
specialists will not abbreviate call signs of air carrier
or other civil aircraft having authorized call signs.
ATC specialists may initiate abbreviated call signs of
other aircraft by using the prefix and the last three
digits/letters of the aircraft identification after
communications are established. The pilot may use
the abbreviated call sign in subsequent contacts with
the ATC specialist. When aware of similar/identical
call signs, ATC specialists will take action to
minimize errors by emphasizing certain numbers/letters,
by repeating the entire call sign, repeating the
prefix, or by asking pilots to use a different call sign
temporarily. Pilots should use the phrase “Verify
clearance for (your complete call sign)” if doubt
exists concerning proper identity.

----------------------------

....and posting edited to make mention of ICAO Doc 9432 Manual of Radiotelephony (Ch 2, para 2.7.2.2).