Heavy or not? Whose rules apply?
 

Hi all,



Interesting discussion today. The relevant part of the US carrier’s manual says that the heavy suffix is only added in the US, but not in the U.K.



CAP 413 2.30 days that the heavy suffix should be used on initial contact.



Whose rules do you follow? Company manual, or state procedures?

In my experience, company manuals regarding this sort of thing are just a handy summary of various state procedures. If the company manual differs from the state regulation I'd assume that the company hasn't kept up with a change or is just wrong and I'd follow the state procedures while also querying the company docs guy about the discrepancy. It's also possible the company has a dispensation from UK procedures because every company aircraft flying to the UK is heavy therefore it is superfluous to add the suffix.

Hi,

I believe the confusion is on whether you should had “heavy” for every transmission (FAA) or just at the check-in with the new ATCO (UK & ICAO).
Double check the wording on Your manuals.

That sounds quite likely.

You both may be on to something. Will have a look. Thanks.