Radio Call - The absurdity of using "experimental" on CTAF/uncontrolled airport

Jamie · #1 06-17-2009, 12:43 PM

First of all, I can find absolutely no requirement anywhere that we identify ourselves as an experimental on CTAF at a non-towered field. If someone has a differing opinion I'm all ears.

My oplims state:

"The pilot in command of this aircraft shall notify air traffic control of the experimental nature of this aircraft when operating into or out of airports with an operational control tower. When filing IFR, the experimental nature of this aircraft shall be listed in the remarks section of the flight plan."

This past weekend I witnessed this absurdity first-hand as I was running over to the pancake breakfast at Rome, GA. I was inbound and there were three other experimentals in the pattern or inbound. I identified myself as "RV". One of the experimentals was doing touch-n-gos. I heard the touch-n-go aircraft call upwind as I was about to enter a tight downwind. I was looking for him and saw him turning right toward me. It was an L-39. One of the other experimentals was an RV and the remaining one was something that I hadn't seen before, but it was probably LSA-eligible.

The point is, there were three airplanes in the pattern calling themselves an experimental, but that didn't give anyone any clue as to which was which and all three had vastly different performance capabilities. Had I known the experimental doing touch-n-goes was an L-39, I would have slowed down to let him enter downwind before I made my downwind.

Yes, I know that the "experimental" identifier is a badge of honor, but it simply doesn't make any sense at a non-towered field and is not required.

n5lp · #2 06-17-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

... it simply doesn't make any sense at a non-towered field and is not required.

I've been preaching this about as long as Paul Dye has been preaching about "Conditional Inspections." I haven't seen any progress on either front.

allbee · #3 06-17-2009, 01:16 PM

I make a call, airport name, rv7, 6 miles out to the west, airport name

I figure if it gets real busy I would go with white rv7... people need to know the airplane type for how fast you might be doing, the color for identification. tail no. means absolutely nothing, unless there is somebody that wants to cause trouble, and we have talked about that one before.

Ident is what you need to be concerned with. Just like when we go to an airshow and multiple airplanes, color and type is the key.

JDRhodes · #4 06-17-2009, 01:17 PM

I agree -

I find myself falling into using Expirimental 1) because everybody else does and 2) because I don't know what else to use.

I'll try to switch to RV...8DR.

See, Larry - it is working!

N941WR · #5 06-17-2009, 01:20 PM

I agree 100%.

It drives me crazy when someone just gives their N-number and a position report. It makes it impossible to tell what I should be looking for. Maybe the N-number came from a Piper and I only see a 172 in the pattern.

It can be a dangerous place out there.

fl-mike · #6 06-17-2009, 01:29 PM

I sooo much prefer to hear "red and white Citabria on left base", "blue and white RV on left downwind, #2" as opposed to "Cessna 14TC on base". N number callouts are fine for controllers, but don't do much for me. I need to see and identify.

Jamie · #7 06-17-2009, 01:30 PM

I've been looking for the FAR/AIM/AC reference, but can't find it. Maybe someone else will chime in, but I believe n-numbers are supposed to be used per the regs.

allbee · #8 06-17-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

I've been looking for the FAR/AIM/AC reference, but can't find it. Maybe someone else will chime in, but I believe n-numbers are supposed to be used per the regs.

I guess they will just have to come and get me. Hay, we don't even have to do the radio thing.

Sid Lambert · #9 06-17-2009, 01:42 PM

I use experimental when we are in a gaggle but RV when I'm by myself.

Rome was interesting Saturday morning. I think I used "yellow experimental" once because I wanted the only guy around to look at me. He was about to cross the active runway as I was waiting to take-off.

I had the same thing happen Sunday at Cartersville. There were 2 experimentals (1 RV and 1 ultralight) and 2 "cessnas" in the pattern. Had I known what either one of them was I would have changed speed in order to get in.

I'm guessing the other RV in the pattern had a few choice words for the Cessna using 19 while we were using 01. They came within a few hundred feet as the RV-4 was on upwind after his touch-n-go.

az_gila · #10 06-17-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

I've been looking for the FAR/AIM/AC reference, but can't find it. Maybe someone else will chime in, but I believe n-numbers are supposed to be used per the regs.

...an FCC issue...

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...7cfr87.107.htm

(a) Aircraft station. Identify by one of the following means:
(1) Aircraft radio station call sign.
(2) The type of aircraft followed by the characters of the
registration marking (``N'' number) of the aircraft, omitting the prefix
letter ``N.'' When communication is initiated by a ground station, an
aircraft station may use the type of aircraft followed by the last three
characters of the registration marking.......

"RV-7 99AB" is OK by the above, as is "Blue/White RV-7 99AB"...

...but what the heck, no-one reads the FCC rules anyway...