3 letter identifier

[ken nougaret]

I occasionally fly into class bravo when i fly to work. When leaving i contact departure and they have asked me for my 3 letter identifier. I said FOX. They always take a long time getting back to me. I havent asked if my answer satisfied them but they let me go. Anyone else have experience with this? Are they just perplexed by an experimental in their airspace?

[Delta Whisky]

Ken - I'll have to admit my ignorance- never heard of a 3 letter identifier. If someone knows what they are, please let the unwashed in on the secret.

[Dave S]

FAA defines this as an "Aircraft Type Designator" and it is listed in order 7360.1 - current version c


https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/2017-10-16_Order_7360.1C_Aircraft_Type_Designators.pdf


Here you go - see bottom of page 308 of 619 in this PDF by code FOX I believe this is the most recent issue of this order.





Page 82 0f 619 lists by manufacturer. Note that the manufacturer listing also includes a few other aircraft as "FOX".











(https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/2017-10-16_Order_7360.1C_Aircraft_Type_Designators.pdf)

[jiott]

I have used "FOX" several times with ATC and they always hesitate, but always accept it. I believe when you submit a flight plan FOX goes in one of the required fields.

[ken nougaret]

Excellent. Thanks for that information.

[Kitfox Guy]

I occasionally fly into class bravo when i fly to work. When leaving i contact departure and they have asked me for my 3 letter identifier. I said FOX. They always take a long time getting back to me. I havent asked if my answer satisfied them but they let me go. Anyone else have experience with this? Are they just perplexed by an experimental in their airspace?

I fly in and around Class Bravo airspace too. I have had the same experience as I too use the Code Fox. I suspect the delay in getting back to you might be the time needed to enter your data into their computer system. I have noticed that when they ask for the three digit aircraft identifier, those flights tend to show up on the public flight tracking websites like flightaware.

[jiott]

When I first started flying near our class C airspace I got asked for that type identifier often. Now years later I almost never get asked for it. I suspect they have it stored with my N number, or maybe its because I have ADS-B out.

[Delta Whisky]

Thanks Dave, most interesting.



It's good to know of course and I'll now be able to answer them if the need ever arises but now for a (legalistic kind of) technical question - I wonder how they would expect the pilot to know the answer?