Callsigns

CT100 · Post by **CT100** » 30 May 2006, 20:40

Hi,

I was searching for information on callsigns and read that early aircraft used reg numbers instead of callsigns and wondered if this meant airlines such as BOAC and BEA etc. had callsigns or not?

Could someone tell me if they know where I might find info on callsigns of 60's & 70's airlines such as BOAC and BEA etc. or if they even know what they were?

Many Thanks,

Chris.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 30 May 2006, 20:47

Before flight number it was eg G-ARVG

BOAC Speedbird Reg then last two eg Speedbird Golf Alpha Rmeo Victor Golf on first contact then Speedbird Victor Golf

The full was not always given and sometime it was first and last two eg Speedbird Golf Victa Golf.

BEA was the same but Bealine-Reg

There was a time when both systems were in use.

Garry

DanKH · Post by **DanKH** » 30 May 2006, 21:15

Present and past airline codes, etc. etc....:

http://www.airlinecodes.co.uk/

Post by **Garry Russell** » 30 May 2006, 21:18

Useful link

Thanks very much Dan

Garry

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 30 May 2006, 22:05

US airlines tended to use their callsigns and flight number, eg Clipper 1 was the PanAm 707 that used to go round the world one way and Clipper 2 went the other way. TWA also used flight number.

As Garry says, many airlines in the 60s and 70s used their airline code and registration (made airband listening worthwhile!).

And many air forces used their serials: the USAF used their serials as painted on tail, eg 20984, 48913

And with reference to Dan's link, the early Boeing codes are embedded in my memory (21=PanAm, 32=TWA, 36=BOAC), etc but what do the Airbus codes mean - is it engines? eg A321-231 ?

Ian

Post by **Garry Russell** » 30 May 2006, 22:24

Ah Airband Memories

Dan Air Delta Mike

Pan Am somtimes used registrations if it was an extra, charter or displaced flight

So i.e. N747PA would be Clipper 1747 or something similar but the last three were the registration.

Garry

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 30 May 2006, 22:31

ianhind wrote:And with reference to Dan's link, the early Boeing codes are embedded in my memory (21=PanAm, 32=TWA, 36=BOAC), etc but what do the Airbus codes mean - is it engines? eg A321-231 ?

Ian, yes, that's the gist of it.

From http://www.rosboch.net -

1st digit : version

2nd digit : engine manufacturer :

0 = General Electric
1 = CFM International
2 = Pratt and Whitney
3 = IAE (International Aero Engines)
4 = Rolls Royce
6 = Alliance (for the A380)

3rd digit : engine type (depends on the aircraft model)

A300
-101 = CF6-50C
-103/203 = CF6-50C2
-120/220 = JT9D-59A
-601 = CF6-80C2A1
-603 = CF6-80C2A3
-605 = CF6-80C2A5
-608 = CF6-80C2A8
-620 = JT9D-7R4H1
-622 = PW4158

A310
-203 = CF6-80A3
-204/304 = CF6-80C2A2
-222/322 = JT9D-7R4E1
-308 = CF6-80C2A8
-324 = 4152
-325 = 4156A

A318
-111 = CFM56-5B8/P
-112 = CFM56-5B9/P
-121 = PW6122
-122 = PW6124

A319
-111 = CFM56-5B5/P
-112 = CFM56-5B6/P
-113 = CFM56-5A4
-114 = CFM56-5A5
-115 = CFM56-5B7/P
-131 = IAE V2522-A5
-132 = IAE V2524-A5
-133 = IAE V2527M-A5

A320
-111/211 = CFM56-5A1
-131/231 = IAEV2500-A1
-212 = CFM56-5A3
-214 = CFM56-5B4/P
-232 = IAEV2527-A5
-233 = IAEV2527E-A5

A321
-111 = CFM56-5B1
-112 = CFM56-5B2
-131 = IAEV2530-A5
-211 = CFM56-5B3/P
-231 = IAEV2533-A5
-232 = IAEV2530-A5

A330
-202 = CF6-80E1A4
-203 = CF6-80E1A3
-223/323 = PW4168A
-243/343 = Trent 772-B60
-301 = CF6-80E1A2
-321 = PW4164
-322 = PW4168
-341 = Trent 768-60
-342 = Trent 772-60

A340
-211/311 = CFM56-5C2
-212/312 = CFM56-5C3
-213/313 = CFM56-5C4
-541 = Trent 553-61
-642 = Trent 556-61

A380
-841 = Trent 970
-861 = GP 7270

Note that this nomenclature does NOT apply to early versions of the A300 (versions B1, B2-1C, B2K-3C and B4-2C), all powered by GE CF6-50C2R.

For the A300-600, the nomenclatures B4 (passenger), C4 (combi) and F4 (freighter) are still used.

You will also see the following codes :

CJ = Corporate Jet (A319)
E = Extended range (A319CJ, A330 and A340)
ET = Extended twin (ETOPS, for the A310 only)
F = Freighter
R = Extended range (A300-600)
ST = Super transporter (only A300-600ST "Beluga")

Post by **Garry Russell** » 30 May 2006, 22:44

Thanks for that Chris

On the 318 is there supposed to be two versions of the 111 & 112

If so was that superceeding the earlier or a slight alternate offered?

Garry

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 30 May 2006, 22:57

No. Tried to fix a tabbing problem and missed the A318 and A319. That's been resolved now, so the list looks right. Thanks for catching that.

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 31 May 2006, 00:17

Another of life's mysteries solved. :prayer: