I have a quick question regarding aircraft identification on the ground. I am an AME and as you all know we require clearances for starts (at some airports) and for taxi clearance to do high power runs after maintenance has been performed, so me and my co-workers are having a chat and some feel it is OK to use the aircraft's assigned tail number...ie "this is Aircraft 233 type Boeing 737 at the XXXX hangar requesting taxi clearance/instructions to RWY 33R for engine runs" or something to that effect.


so is it cool or not cool? I'm thinking not...but I like to hear your take.

Isn't the civil ident placard on the instrument panel?

I think they'll want the civil ident for billing/tracking purposes.

FamilyGuy wrote:Isn't the civil ident placard on the instrument panel?

I think they'll want the civil ident for billing/tracking purposes.

I wasn't aware NavCan charged for ground operations, exactly how do they measure those charges?

Generally the tail-number is fine for movement or activities on the aprons. Once you are on the taxiways however, I'd much prefer a civil ident.

At night -- when you AME types are doing your best work -- even something general like "Westjet Aircraft on gate 80" is fine for most purposes. I'd imagine you'd find a lot of controllers who disagree with that, however.

There isn't any record-keeping or billing for ground operations, so it's just a matter of keeping the picture straight.

I personally could care less what you use, whether it be the ident, tail number, or your nickname at the peelers. All we need to know is where you are, what you're doing and what you'll respond to if we need to talk to you. I often get people requesting these things without saying where they are and the tail number is damn small to read from the tower.