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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drone-cessna-call-sign

Cessna 172 N123AB calls on the radio. What does the pilot usually say?

'Cessna One-Two-Three-Alpha-Bravo', the maker's name replacing 'November.'

  1. Cessna One-Two-Three-Alpha-Bravo ✔
  2. November Cessna one hundred twenty three
  3. Aircraft one twenty three AB

Why: US registrations start with N, spoken as November. Light planes usually swap November for the maker's name, then read each number and letter using the phonetic alphabet.

Huh, didn't know that: British Airways flights use the call sign 'Speedbird' instead of the company name.

The dad joke
What do you call a deer with no eyes? No idea. What do you call a plane with no call sign? Also no idea.
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Sources

  1. FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22), Ch. 7 https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf

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