Self-Announcing

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 11:15 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The primary discussion centers on a debate over communication protocols at non-towered airports, specifically whether pilots should include their N-number or just aircraft type in self-announcements, contrasting FAA advisory guidance (AC 90-66B) with practical pilot preferences for brevity and relevance.
Pilots offer advice on flight practices, including prioritizing safer routes with more emergency landing options (e.g., inland over water) and advocating for adding power during steep turns to maintain airspeed and achieve smoother maneuvers.
Further contributions cover various topics such as an alternative interpretation of a historical aviation technique (using a match for attitude reference) and the utility of monitoring oil temperature data from engine analyzers during engine break-in.

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After resolving a glitch in my subscription dating back to March, I sat down to catch up with the back issues I missed. I began reading the April 2020 issue last evening. In “Hear Me Out,” the article covering communications with ATC, Mr. Burnside supplied a sidebar about operations at non-towered airports. He stated, “Personally, I don’t need your N-number; just the type.” Well, you personally may not need the N-number, but the FAA does. In Advisory Circular AC 90-66B, “Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations,” you will find the following:

“Self-announce transmissions may include aircraft type to aid in identification and detection, but should not use paint schemes or color descriptions to replace the use of the aircraft call sign. For example, “MIDWEST TRAFFIC, TWIN COMMANDER FIVE ONE ROMEO FOXTROT TEN MILES NORTHEAST” or “MIDWEST TRAFFIC, FIVE ONE ROMEO FOXTROT TWIN COMMANDER TEN MILES NORTHEAST,” not “MIDWEST TRAFFIC, BLUE AND WHITE TWIN COMMANDER TEN MILES NORTHEAST.”