I will Never do that again
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Mecklenburg vorpommern
Posts: 60
I will Never do that again
Ferrying a civilian 500 from a private site in uncontrolled airspace but near to to an Airfield within a CTR a call was required for inbound clearance.
Looking around the panel for the heli's call sign it was not to be seen. 10 miles out at 1000' and books on rear seats what should I do ?
Land and look on outside or proceed with a made up ident and apologise to the controller on landing ? Took second option.
Ex mil and always with an issued personal call sign lead to this error.
What might you be willing to disclose that others might learn from 'that's not in the book' There must be many.
Looking around the panel for the heli's call sign it was not to be seen. 10 miles out at 1000' and books on rear seats what should I do ?
Land and look on outside or proceed with a made up ident and apologise to the controller on landing ? Took second option.
Ex mil and always with an issued personal call sign lead to this error.
What might you be willing to disclose that others might learn from 'that's not in the book' There must be many.
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Europe
Posts: 86
Must say I've been in that situation (forgetting the aircraft's callsign and realising there isn't a nameplate in the cockpit) however I had luckily written down the registration on my kneeboard prior to the flight which saved me the embarrassment. Since then I always keep it in the same location on each kneeboard log so I can check the callsign in the same visual area regardless of which type I'm flying.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 12,639
Been there, done that, when checking out an N reg. Used all the right letters and numbers, but not necessarily in the right order!
But not as embarrassing as an RAF colleague of mine who set off on a helicopter task for the day, only to return ten minutes later and put the aircraft U/S - giving the ground crew an ear wigging about it. He was then offered another helicopter, which he duly signed for and stomped off. He then walked out to the original aircraft, re-loaded all his kit, took off and never noticed! I was sent out with the aircraft he was supposed to be flying and the two F700s (tech logs) to find him and ask which one he actually would like to fly. He didn't believe me until he read the airframe registrations!
But not as embarrassing as an RAF colleague of mine who set off on a helicopter task for the day, only to return ten minutes later and put the aircraft U/S - giving the ground crew an ear wigging about it. He was then offered another helicopter, which he duly signed for and stomped off. He then walked out to the original aircraft, re-loaded all his kit, took off and never noticed! I was sent out with the aircraft he was supposed to be flying and the two F700s (tech logs) to find him and ask which one he actually would like to fly. He didn't believe me until he read the airframe registrations!
Last edited by ShyTorque; 23rd May 2020 at 19:37.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 12,639
Originally Posted by Self loading bear
For N-registered aircraft Chicken Wings Roost air has the answer:
1 3 Yankee for helicopters
and
3 Bravo Tango for fixed wing
But do expect the follow-up question:
”Is that you Chuck?”
1 3 Yankee for helicopters
and
3 Bravo Tango for fixed wing
But do expect the follow-up question:
”Is that you Chuck?”
Rotorheads Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PPRuNe
Posts: 3,201
Originally Posted by ShyTorque
It's not often I can't understand the gist of a post, but in this case..... sorry, not a clue.
https://www.chickenwingscomics.com
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 35
Originally Posted by Senior Pilot
Thanks I was in the same boat as Shy going Huh
Howcanwebeexpectedtoflylikeeagles
whensurroundedbyturkeys
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 200
I did a similar thing in Abu Dhabi. I had just arrived and my first task was to to carry out an air test in a WS55 Whirlwind. I got airborne and left the zone to do the air test outside controlled airspace. When I was ready to return, I couldn’t remember the aircraft registration (callsign) and there was no placard in the cockpit. I though about the problem for a couple of minutes and decided to make up a false callsign. When asked by ATC, “What happened to VR-XXX”, I said “it went u/s”. No further questions asked. I haven’t a clue who got the landing fee charge.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 58
Conducting a quick check ride with a junior pilot and did some autos with him. They were the first ones I did at 4500 feet above where I usually do them (sea level) and I didn't check the FM beforehand. Made for an interesting time at the bottom.
Someone older than me - a Wagners King Air pilot sitting on the ground waiting at Caloundra airport years ago - once told me - "never take the aircraft anywhere your brain hasn't already been". It's a good one.
Another time I kept referring to myself as a fixed wing aircraft when quizzed by Sydney ATC. I was in a helicopter. It had been a long few months and that was enough encouragement to go and have a day off.
Someone older than me - a Wagners King Air pilot sitting on the ground waiting at Caloundra airport years ago - once told me - "never take the aircraft anywhere your brain hasn't already been". It's a good one.
Another time I kept referring to myself as a fixed wing aircraft when quizzed by Sydney ATC. I was in a helicopter. It had been a long few months and that was enough encouragement to go and have a day off.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: australia
Age: 56
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by ApolloHeli
Must say I've been in that situation (forgetting the aircraft's callsign and realising there isn't a nameplate in the cockpit) however I had luckily written down the registration on my kneeboard prior to the flight which saved me the embarrassment. Since then I always keep it in the same location on each kneeboard log so I can check the callsign in the same visual area regardless of which type I'm flying.
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 7,774
People can be cruel with callsigns - there was a chap in the RAF many years ago who had a slight stammer and struggled with words beginning with F - he was given the callsign of 44Foxtrot on the Tac net. FFFFFFFFFF........
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BRS/GVA
Posts: 319
Originally Posted by [email protected]
People can be cruel with callsigns - there was a chap in the RAF many years ago who had a slight stammer and struggled with words beginning with F - he was given the callsign of 44Foxtrot on the Tac net. FFFFFFFFFF........
So we'd pick a list of things with '3's in them and go ask him - "It's Firteen pounds and Firty Free' came the answer. And then 10mins later another engineer would go by with the same list. Ah children can be cruel.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harwich
Age: 61
Posts: 741
Many years ago, while a wannabe, I learned that when a parked helicopter’s lights start flashing, stand clear as the pilot is about to fire up. Cut to now - solo detail - halfway round the third circuit I realise the strobe and nav lights are OFF. I did that twice before it really sunk in how to use a checklist.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: On the green bit near the blue wobbly stuff
Posts: 621
Originally Posted by [email protected]
People can be cruel with callsigns - there was a chap in the RAF many years ago who had a slight stammer and struggled with words beginning with F - he was given the callsign of 44Foxtrot on the Tac net. FFFFFFFFFF........
