UK/Europe making radio calls to ATC
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Helicomparator take your point but not everyone flies a helicopter like a fixed wing. Therefore your relative speed for the purposes of an approach may well be more relevant in your environment, the fact that you are IN a helicopter is more relevant in others.
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As a non-European or UK pilot flying around in this airspace regularly, I have never been picked up from saying "helicopter" before my callsign (which I do everytime). In a couple of instances it has actually helped me in getting an airways clearance sooner than the fixed wing guys.
I personally think that alot of controllers don't know the differences between aircraft types (helicopter v's fixed wing).
Anyway, who cares if you say "helicopter" before your callsign? I don't!
I personally think that alot of controllers don't know the differences between aircraft types (helicopter v's fixed wing).
Anyway, who cares if you say "helicopter" before your callsign? I don't!
But you have to accept that on average professional pilots do tend to sound more professional on the RT than PPLs
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Radio talk
I was always taught, "helicopter G-bbbb, R22 on the ground bla bla bla". Controllers first and last name is stress, if i can make life easier for him by letting him know im a helicopter.
Anyway he is usually more worried about the 3 Boeing 747's that are landing and the othe 4 lineing up for t/off, than the wee r22 flying about.
Anyway he is usually more worried about the 3 Boeing 747's that are landing and the othe 4 lineing up for t/off, than the wee r22 flying about.
Luvverley!
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Sorry Oogle, but I'd like to know why you think this:
ATCOs receive lectures at the college on aircraft recognition, and skills are further enhanced once out in the field. The manufacturer's name in the aircraft type given in the initial call tends to give away whether the a/c is F/W or heli! Even the greenest rookie will know that "Augusta" will mean a helicopter, and that "Cessna" will denote a F/W.
The only one I can think of from the top of my head that can cause confusion is "Bolkow."
OK, so I'll admit to being a bit defensive. But seriously, I am interested in why you hold that opinion.
Foxy
I personally think that alot of controllers don't know the differences between aircraft types (helicopter v's fixed wing).
The only one I can think of from the top of my head that can cause confusion is "Bolkow."
OK, so I'll admit to being a bit defensive. But seriously, I am interested in why you hold that opinion.
Foxy
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foxy
a link to cessna helicopter http://www.commercemarketplace.com/h...ir/cessna.html
and agusta makes the tiltrotor and motorbikes too and i think they also made aeroplanes also
you may have used the wrong aircraft to explain
also bell made aeroplanes as did md, boeing,and a few others
are you an atco?
a link to cessna helicopter http://www.commercemarketplace.com/h...ir/cessna.html
and agusta makes the tiltrotor and motorbikes too and i think they also made aeroplanes also
you may have used the wrong aircraft to explain
also bell made aeroplanes as did md, boeing,and a few others
are you an atco?
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OK, so I'll admit to being a bit defensive. But seriously, I am interested in why you hold that opinion.
"Are you a helicopter?"
I am not being disrespectful to you as I assume you are with ATC. I have all the respect in the world for you guys and think you do a great job.
The original question in this thread was to ask if you should add "helicopter" before your callsign.
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Actually IMHO using the aircraft type is not much use to me since the only fixed wing aircraft's type I know are the Boeing and Airbus range yet when they are 4 miles off I still don't know which is which therefore IMHO it is of more use for ATC to say to me cross behind that fixed wing/ traffic / helicopter.
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ATC calls
Thanks again for all the info guys, it's much appreciated!
Someone had said they always use there full call sign, unless ATC shortens it to 3 letters/numbers. Once I've made my call sign, and acknowledged by ATC, I always use my 3 digt abreviation from that point on, and always identifying myself as a helicopter before the call letters/numbers(never had a problem yet).
Along time ago, I was with my CFI, and we were departing an airport, and just about ready to switch to the OH-2 frequency. When an S-76 was inbound to the airport, and he was quite expressive, by saying Sikorsky, blah blah, 5 miles out inbound for blah blah.....we then asked ATC, ROBINSON...blah blah...Frequency change? Kind of funny!
Another question though! I've flown out of Van Nuys in So Cal for quite awhile, busiest G.A. airport in the US. On many occasions, I would fly parralell to the runway, as I'm inbound for the taxiway, with F/W at my side on final for the active. It's no big deal, as you're keeping visual separation. We're also crossing midfield at 900 AGL, and might have a F/W underneath you, or taking off. Still no big deal, as you're keeping visual separation. From an pilots POV, once you've made your call, and intentions, and make your last call at a mile inbound, ATC pretty much leaves you alone, because we know the ins/outs of coming into VNY. ATC might occasionally tell you of F/W on the taxiway, don't over fly the F/W, etc., but they really leave you alone, it's quite nice! 1-6 Right is a great DVD on VNY, just a plug...I digress!
Now that I'm flying out of TOR, where the Robinson factory is, ATC treats us like a F/W, which bugs me! I'm downwind abeam, and about 1/4 mile or less laterally from my spot, and there's a Citabria ahead of me 1/2 mile or so, and I'm number 2 to land....WHAT? I've asked if I can turn inside of the Citabria, to the taxiway, and always denied! Plus they make us terminate at the numbers, and then air taxi to parking....well I just waisted 6 minutes, or I just an extra point of time in....depends on how you look at it, eh! It's a different experience then VNY, which I'm still getting use to!
Sorry, a little word-e today!
Rob
rotor67
Someone had said they always use there full call sign, unless ATC shortens it to 3 letters/numbers. Once I've made my call sign, and acknowledged by ATC, I always use my 3 digt abreviation from that point on, and always identifying myself as a helicopter before the call letters/numbers(never had a problem yet).
Along time ago, I was with my CFI, and we were departing an airport, and just about ready to switch to the OH-2 frequency. When an S-76 was inbound to the airport, and he was quite expressive, by saying Sikorsky, blah blah, 5 miles out inbound for blah blah.....we then asked ATC, ROBINSON...blah blah...Frequency change? Kind of funny!
Another question though! I've flown out of Van Nuys in So Cal for quite awhile, busiest G.A. airport in the US. On many occasions, I would fly parralell to the runway, as I'm inbound for the taxiway, with F/W at my side on final for the active. It's no big deal, as you're keeping visual separation. We're also crossing midfield at 900 AGL, and might have a F/W underneath you, or taking off. Still no big deal, as you're keeping visual separation. From an pilots POV, once you've made your call, and intentions, and make your last call at a mile inbound, ATC pretty much leaves you alone, because we know the ins/outs of coming into VNY. ATC might occasionally tell you of F/W on the taxiway, don't over fly the F/W, etc., but they really leave you alone, it's quite nice! 1-6 Right is a great DVD on VNY, just a plug...I digress!
Now that I'm flying out of TOR, where the Robinson factory is, ATC treats us like a F/W, which bugs me! I'm downwind abeam, and about 1/4 mile or less laterally from my spot, and there's a Citabria ahead of me 1/2 mile or so, and I'm number 2 to land....WHAT? I've asked if I can turn inside of the Citabria, to the taxiway, and always denied! Plus they make us terminate at the numbers, and then air taxi to parking....well I just waisted 6 minutes, or I just an extra point of time in....depends on how you look at it, eh! It's a different experience then VNY, which I'm still getting use to!
Sorry, a little word-e today!
Rob
rotor67
Luvverley!
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Without wishing to go too much further off-topic I'd just like to add one or two thoughts before I leave this thread.
Yes, I am an ATCO.
MD600 driver - thanks for those links. I learnt something new today! Perhaps I didn't choose the best examples. However, that said I haven't seen or heard of them in common use in the UK in 11 years in GA. I don't expect to see them soon either!
I haven't researched thoroughly, but I believe Boeing helis are usually denoted by a more distinctive generic name on the RT.
McDonnells - yes, I concede that point! I generally can tell the difference from an RT call (or FPL) but maybe that's come with experience.
Oogle:
I notice from your profile you fly a Bolkow 
Puzzled if that happens if you get that question when flying the other types! Hey ho.
Finally, personally I'm not that bothered if a pilot prefixes their callsign with "helicopter." I don't write that down on the FPS, I write the type! Just my own opinion, that. Either will work for me.
Safe flying to all of you!
Foxy
Yes, I am an ATCO.
MD600 driver - thanks for those links. I learnt something new today! Perhaps I didn't choose the best examples. However, that said I haven't seen or heard of them in common use in the UK in 11 years in GA. I don't expect to see them soon either!
I haven't researched thoroughly, but I believe Boeing helis are usually denoted by a more distinctive generic name on the RT.
McDonnells - yes, I concede that point! I generally can tell the difference from an RT call (or FPL) but maybe that's come with experience.
Oogle:
I hold that opinion because I have been asked on many occasions:
"Are you a helicopter?"
"Are you a helicopter?"
Puzzled if that happens if you get that question when flying the other types! Hey ho.Finally, personally I'm not that bothered if a pilot prefixes their callsign with "helicopter." I don't write that down on the FPS, I write the type! Just my own opinion, that. Either will work for me.
Safe flying to all of you!
Foxy
