"Bob Gardner" wrote in message
news
From the Air Traffic Control Handbook:

"2-4-20. AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION

Use the full identification in reply to aircraft with similar sounding
identifications. For other aircraft, the same identification may be used
in reply that the pilot used in his/her initial callup except use the
correct identification after communications have been established.
Identify aircraft as follows:

a. U.S. registry aircraft. State one of the following:

1. Civil. State the prefix "November" when establishing initial
communications with U.S. registered aircraft followed by the ICAO phonetic
pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the aircraft registration. The
controller may state the aircraft type, the model, the manufacturer's
name, followed by the ICAO phonetic pronunciation of the numbers/letters
of the aircraft registration if used by the pilot on the initial or
subsequent call."


From AIM 4-2-4(a)(3): "When the aircraft manufacturer's made or model is
stated, the prefix 'N' is dropped."

Take your choice. I personally never use November in communicating with
ATC.

Bob, thanks for the quotes. I had figured it was a gray area. I didn't
realize the ATC Handbook specifically states that "November" is to be used
on initial call-up--that's good to know. I thought it was as others have
guessed which is that the controllers have simply forgotten the type or use
"November" in the interest of simplicity.

I actually do use "Cherokee" even though the controller refers to me as
"November" but it just stikes me as odd or even wrong that in the same
conversation we are using two different ways of referring to the same thing.

Marco