Angel Flight call signs

[Doug Carter]

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?

[Steven Barnes]

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?
>
>

[Michelle P]

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?
>
>

[Doug Carter]

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!

[Dan Luke]

"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

[Rosspilot]

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

[Peter R.]

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

[Hilton]

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

[Nathan Young]

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

[Peter R.]

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

[Doug Carter]

Hilton wrote:
> 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
>
>

So I wonder how often using "Compassion" or "Angel Flight" makes a
practical difference?

Another poster noted that his brain was trained to hear his normal call
sign and had missed "Compassion" more than once. Something to consider...

Perhaps Hilton has the right idea.

[Peter R.]

Doug Carter > wrote:

> So I wonder how often using "Compassion" or "Angel Flight" makes a
> practical difference?

Controllers with whom I have spoke stated that they try to give a little
extra attention in the form of more direct routing, work-load permitting of
course. I have encountered a couple of controllers who didn't know what
the NGF/Angel Flight callsign meant and there have been others who
mistakenly assumed it got the same priority handling as Life Guard.

Personally, I fly for Angel Flight Northeast and often take flights
into/out of Boston Logan and Teterboro, NJ. I file with the Angel Flight
callsign for no other reason than to demonstrate to the controller that I
am not just another FLIB out for a $100 hamburger through their extremely
busy airspace.

--
Peter

[Jen]

Doug Carter wrote:

> 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)

Wow it looks like the author of that letter didn't read his own letter.
First it describes what three letter designators are required for, and then
it claims that American Airlines would file AA 1234 for its flight 1234 and
British Airways would file BA for its flight 4321. Actually they would file
AAL1234 and BAW4321 respectively. Those two letter codes are IATA's and used
for passenger scheduling, ticketing, etc, not for flight plans.

[James M. Knox]

"Peter R." > wrote in
:

> Doug Carter > wrote:
>
>> So I wonder how often using "Compassion" or "Angel Flight" makes a
>> practical difference?
>
> Controllers with whom I have spoke stated that they try to give a
> little extra attention in the form of more direct routing, work-load
> permitting of course.

The CMF designation was achieved by ACA, before it sort of "self
destructed" some years back. It's legal for anyone on a "compassion"
flight to use, even if they are not affiliated with a specific
organization. [Strange, but true.]

After most member organizations pulled out of ACA, the Angel Flight
groups formed Angel Flight America and got the NGF designation assigned.
[ANG was already assigned <G>] If you are flying for Angel Flight, then
that is the best one to use (and should be on the various AF web sites -
but some may never have been updated.

What benefit? Although it technically does not give any specific
priority, it does three things, at least:

1. Brings awareness of Angel Flight to a country that barely knows we
exist.

2. Makes it easier for mission coordinators to track

3. Alerts controllers to the fact that we are more likely than the
average aircraft to perhaps need special handling.

It's a good thing to use, but if you fly a mission and forget - don't
worry about it. [I have a tendency to file the patient leg NGF889, then
request my clearance N44889 - only to have them come back and say no
clearance found. Oh yeah... sorry about that.]

jmk
Director - Angel Flight South Central

[Newps]

Jen wrote:
> Doug Carter wrote:
>
>
>>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)
>
>
> Wow it looks like the author of that letter didn't read his own letter.
> First it describes what three letter designators are required for, and then
> it claims that American Airlines would file AA 1234 for its flight 1234 and
> British Airways would file BA for its flight 4321. Actually they would file
> AAL1234 and BAW4321 respectively. Those two letter codes are IATA's and used
> for passenger scheduling, ticketing, etc, not for flight plans.

The two letter code was used up until the mid 80's, that's how long it's
been since that part of the book has been updated.