Angel Flight call signs

Hilton wrote:
Doug,

I started using Compassion Flight etc and changing my 'N-number'. I was
getting questioned so much by ATC, that I figured it wasn't worth it. So,
now I just use my N-number, but if I need 'special attention' I add, "...and
we're an Angel Flight today". Occasionally I also add "...and we have a
really cute girl in the back who can't wait to get home" (or something
similar). FWIW: That works like a charm, from jumping to #1 from #7 at PAO,
to flying the PAO approach with no delay (in IMC) etc. But while getting
handed off on a long XC, I just use my N-number.

Hilton



So I wonder how often using "Compassion" or "Angel Flight" makes a
practical difference?

Another poster noted that his brain was trained to hear his normal call
sign and had missed "Compassion" more than once. Something to consider...

Perhaps Hilton has the right idea.

Doug Carter wrote:

So I wonder how often using "Compassion" or "Angel Flight" makes a
practical difference?

Controllers with whom I have spoke stated that they try to give a little
extra attention in the form of more direct routing, work-load permitting of
course. I have encountered a couple of controllers who didn't know what
the NGF/Angel Flight callsign meant and there have been others who
mistakenly assumed it got the same priority handling as Life Guard.

Personally, I fly for Angel Flight Northeast and often take flights
into/out of Boston Logan and Teterboro, NJ. I file with the Angel Flight
callsign for no other reason than to demonstrate to the controller that I
am not just another FLIB out for a $100 hamburger through their extremely
busy airspace.

--
Peter

Doug Carter wrote:

Michelle P wrote:
Doug,
Since the was Airlifeline, Angel Flight Mid-atlantic, Southest, West,
Lifeline pilots..... They all used different Call signs or none at all.
The organizations got together in late 1990s...

I did some more searching and found that the "Air Care Alliance" got the
FAA to accept the "Compassion" call sign in May of 1999 (see:
http://www.aircareall.org/callsign.htm#cmpsn-procedures)

Wow it looks like the author of that letter didn't read his own letter.
First it describes what three letter designators are required for, and then
it claims that American Airlines would file AA 1234 for its flight 1234 and
British Airways would file BA for its flight 4321. Actually they would file
AAL1234 and BAW4321 respectively. Those two letter codes are IATA's and used
for passenger scheduling, ticketing, etc, not for flight plans.

"Peter R." wrote in
:

Doug Carter wrote:

So I wonder how often using "Compassion" or "Angel Flight" makes a
practical difference?

Controllers with whom I have spoke stated that they try to give a
little extra attention in the form of more direct routing, work-load
permitting of course.

The CMF designation was achieved by ACA, before it sort of "self
destructed" some years back. It's legal for anyone on a "compassion"
flight to use, even if they are not affiliated with a specific
organization. [Strange, but true.]

After most member organizations pulled out of ACA, the Angel Flight
groups formed Angel Flight America and got the NGF designation assigned.
[ANG was already assigned G] If you are flying for Angel Flight, then
that is the best one to use (and should be on the various AF web sites -
but some may never have been updated.

What benefit? Although it technically does not give any specific
priority, it does three things, at least:

1. Brings awareness of Angel Flight to a country that barely knows we
exist.

2. Makes it easier for mission coordinators to track

3. Alerts controllers to the fact that we are more likely than the
average aircraft to perhaps need special handling.

It's a good thing to use, but if you fly a mission and forget - don't
worry about it. [I have a tendency to file the patient leg NGF889, then
request my clearance N44889 - only to have them come back and say no
clearance found. Oh yeah... sorry about that.]

jmk
Director - Angel Flight South Central

Jen wrote:
Doug Carter wrote:


Michelle P wrote:

Doug,
Since the was Airlifeline, Angel Flight Mid-atlantic, Southest, West,
Lifeline pilots..... They all used different Call signs or none at all.
The organizations got together in late 1990s...

I did some more searching and found that the "Air Care Alliance" got the
FAA to accept the "Compassion" call sign in May of 1999 (see:
http://www.aircareall.org/callsign.htm#cmpsn-procedures)


Wow it looks like the author of that letter didn't read his own letter.
First it describes what three letter designators are required for, and then
it claims that American Airlines would file AA 1234 for its flight 1234 and
British Airways would file BA for its flight 4321. Actually they would file
AAL1234 and BAW4321 respectively. Those two letter codes are IATA's and used
for passenger scheduling, ticketing, etc, not for flight plans.

The two letter code was used up until the mid 80's, that's how long it's
been since that part of the book has been updated.