Angel Flight call signs

I just read the procedures handbooks for two different Angel Flight
organizations and noticed that one recommends the call sign "Compassion"
and filing flight plans with the identifier "CMFxxx" and the other,
"Angel Flight" and the identifier "NGFxxx."

Having heard "Angel Flight xxx" for years I was surprised to learn the
"Compassion" term apparently has been around since 1999. Neither seems
to be mentioned in the AIM; "Lifeguard" is, but that is a different
operation (air ambulance).

Any particular reason for multiple terms other than different
organizations marching to different (possibly politically correct) drummers?

I'm in Angel Flight Central. I've only done one flight so far, but I used
"Angel Flight" as my call sign. I didn't mess with the NGF before my tail
number. I just filed N1234 and put in the comments I was an Angel Flight. On
the radio, ATC called my "Angel Flight 234...".

There's another group called Lifeline pilots based out of Peoria, I think.
Maybe they use "Compassion". Not sure.


"Doug Carter" wrote in message
om...
I just read the procedures handbooks for two different Angel Flight
organizations and noticed that one recommends the call sign "Compassion"
and filing flight plans with the identifier "CMFxxx" and the other,
"Angel Flight" and the identifier "NGFxxx."

Having heard "Angel Flight xxx" for years I was surprised to learn the
"Compassion" term apparently has been around since 1999. Neither seems
to be mentioned in the AIM; "Lifeguard" is, but that is a different
operation (air ambulance).

Any particular reason for multiple terms other than different
organizations marching to different (possibly politically correct)
drummers?

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 and decided since they had
a common mission they needed a common call sign. They applied for and
received the Compassion (CMF) call sign. This way all of us doing the
same thing are identified the same to ATC.
LifeGuard is for air medical ambulance only.
Michelle

Doug Carter wrote:

I just read the procedures handbooks for two different Angel Flight
organizations and noticed that one recommends the call sign
"Compassion" and filing flight plans with the identifier "CMFxxx" and
the other, "Angel Flight" and the identifier "NGFxxx."

Having heard "Angel Flight xxx" for years I was surprised to learn the
"Compassion" term apparently has been around since 1999. Neither
seems to be mentioned in the AIM; "Lifeguard" is, but that is a
different operation (air ambulance).

Any particular reason for multiple terms other than different
organizations marching to different (possibly politically correct)
drummers?

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) and that "Angel
Flight" got the FAA to assign the "Angel Flight America" call sign in
June, 2000 (see: http://www.angelflightsc.org/NGFcallsign.html).

Somewhat confusing... I noticed that "Angel Flight, Inc." uses
"Compassion" instead of "Angel Flight."


Apparently its just different organizations doing their own thing; all
for a good cause though!

"Michelle P" wrote:
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 and decided since
they had a common mission they needed a common call sign. They applied
for and received the Compassion (CMF) call sign. This way all of us
doing the same thing are identified the same to ATC.

AF Southeast says "Angel Flight" and files NGF + last 3 digits of tail
number.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

I'm with Angel Flight NE, and I use "Angel Flight" as my call sign, file IFR
using "NGF
6SR" instead of "N466SR" .


www.Rosspilot.com

Rosspilot wrote:

I'm with Angel Flight NE, and I use "Angel Flight" as my call sign, file IFR
using "NGF
6SR" instead of "N466SR" .

AOL Me, too. /AOL

--
Peter

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

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 21:36:03 GMT, Doug Carter
wrote:

I just read the procedures handbooks for two different Angel Flight
organizations and noticed that one recommends the call sign "Compassion"
and filing flight plans with the identifier "CMFxxx" and the other,
"Angel Flight" and the identifier "NGFxxx."

I don't know the differences, but I fly for Lifeline Pilots (Peoria,
IL) and they advise us to use CMFxxx.

An interesting thing is that my brain is 'trained' to listen for
Cherokee 62R or N62R, and it tends to tune out ATC calls for
Compassion Flight 62R or Compassion 62. I have missed more than one
call in this manner.

-Nathan

Nathan Young wrote:

An interesting thing is that my brain is 'trained' to listen for
Cherokee 62R or N62R, and it tends to tune out ATC calls for
Compassion Flight 62R or Compassion 62. I have missed more than one
call in this manner.

Well then, the solution is obvious: You need to fly more missions for
Lifeline.

--
Peter