Re: Channels and Frequencies
 

Too late, and unrealistic, but since it doesn't really matter what the frequencies are, they could all have had a sequential number instead of the actual frequency.

With four digits there are 10000 combinations, far more than there are frequencies even at 8.33 (2280, less the ones unused around 121.5). If it had been easy with a letter, it could even have been 2 numbers and one letter, like "change to Kilo 2 9". But then a dial with 25 letters makes it too complicated.

But with 4 digits 0 to 9, we could have saved two digits, but unrealistic, because think of all the work and hazzle, changing all these aircraft radios!

Re: Channels and Frequencies
 

Yes some pilots, mostly from the USA, do drop it. I (as a controller using only VHF) am not going to complain, but the official line is NO, because of the fact IF you were working a military unit, and they were also using UHF frequencies which begin with 2 or 3, then it 'could' cause confusion.