Russian operator in UK?
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From: N.YORKSHIRE
Russian operator in UK?
Just a bit puzzled by a 429 , G-HPIN, squawking a Russian operator's Callsign. KNM08. Anyone know why?
Last edited by Flyingmac; 19th November 2025 at 15:45.

Joined: Jul 2002
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From: UK
FYI, G-HPIN is operated by GB Helicopters. Their callsigns are 'Kingdom XX', normally abbreviated to KDM08 etc. I suspect that KNM08 was just a typo when inputting the callsign into the transponder.
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Didn't think Homeserve had moved to Sukhoi. Just a touch of finger trouble then.



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From: Wildest Surrey
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: N.YORKSHIRE
I pulled the Mode S transponder from my previous aircraft and put it into my current one.. Changed the Hex code and entered the registration as callsign. I could have used any callsign. It took a couple of minutes. Took it up and called a local LARS to test. All good. Job done.
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From: same planet as yours
Typo's in the mode-S callsign, happen regularly and are corrected on the fly by the crew whenever requested by ATC.
(and using the registration as callsign is more common in the GA world)

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From: Lost again...



Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Wildest Surrey
I was thinking ATC transponders. ATC units having SSR displays can enter their own callsigns independently of mode S inputs because not all ATC units have access to Mode S and this means duplicated callsigns can be displayed either on radar displays or other surveillance displays as in the examples at #1 and #2.
How this is resolved I haven't a clue.
How this is resolved I haven't a clue.

Joined: Jan 2010
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From: UK
GB Helicopters has used KNM “Kingdom” since at least May 2013
see https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publ...section_1.html
see https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publ...section_1.html

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From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
24 bit address and resultant hex code is not a typical "user configuration" but Flight ID is by the operator. How the Flight ID is then interpreted can lead to mismatch by certain platforms.




