How to best convey to ATC what I am flying.

Got the same problem, flying a Cessna 175b Skylark. No matter how many times I say Skylark, tower comes back with Skyhawk, I just let it go.
 
The cover of my plane's manual says it's a Challenger. I've never said "Challenger 1234" as I don't want to be confused with a regional jet. I'm fine with Cherokee or Archer. PA28/G if I get asked after checking in. I've been called a Cessna in tower traffic call outs lots of times. As long as they know my speed and don't call me late for dinner, I couldn't care less.
 
Hang 4 said:
The cover of my plane's manual says it's a Challenger. I've never said "Challenger 1234" as I don't want to be confused with a regional jet. I'm fine with Cherokee or Archer. PA28/G if I get asked after checking in. I've been called a Cessna in tower traffic call outs lots of times. As long as they know my speed and don't call me late for dinner, I couldn't care less.
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The PA-28-180 was "Cherokee Challenger" and the PA-28-235 was "Cherokee Charger" for just the 1973 model year. My understanding is that Chrysler Corporation had wadded panties about the not-so-coincidental use of the names of its two big-selling muscle cars, so for 1974 the airplanes were "Cherokee Archer" and "Cherokee Pathfinder", respectively.
 
An Tower controller at KJQF (Concord NC) called my Skyhawk a "Cesssssnnaaaarrr". Then he called the Citation entering the pattern a "Cesssssnnaaaarrr". I laughed out loud.
 
RangeRider said:
Got the same problem, flying a Cessna 175b Skylark. No matter how many times I say Skylark, tower comes back with Skyhawk, I just let it go.
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The P172D, R172K and 172RG are on the same TCDS as the 175 so tower is not entirely incorrect.
 
Justin M said:
An Tower controller at KJQF (Concord NC) called my Skyhawk a "Cesssssnnaaaarrr". Then he called the Citation entering the pattern a "Cesssssnnaaaarrr". I laughed out loud.
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probably the same guy told me to follow the Groomun on final. Laughing was not my first reaction.
 
weilke said:
The FAA filing type BE24 because that's what he will punch into the tag. He'll call you whatever he can remember. Every PA32 is a 'Lance' and every pa28 a Cherokee.
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I've heard a lot of "Saratoga" for a PA32. I've even heard Flying Monkey called that, and we know he's fixed gear.
 
Justin M said:
An Tower controller at KJQF (Concord NC) called my Skyhawk a "Cesssssnnaaaarrr". Then he called the Citation entering the pattern a "Cesssssnnaaaarrr". I laughed out loud.
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Be nice, y'all...
 
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As a PA-32 driver, it's a long list of options.

On first call-up I used to identify as "Lance 20817". Not any more. Now, on first call-up, I say "Piper Lance 20817". I do that because including the word "Piper" helps prevent being called a Lancair. Doesn't always work. That still happens a lot.

Most times, I'm called a Lance.
A lot of times, I'm called a Saratoga.
Less frequently, a Cherokee.

The only one I try to correct is the Lancair one, simply because there's a non-trivial performance difference that's implied.
 
Rgbeard said:
As a PA-32 driver, it's a long list of options.

On first call-up I used to identify as "Lance 20817". Not any more. Now, on first call-up, I say "Piper Lance 20817". I do that because including the word "Piper" helps prevent being called a Lancair. Doesn't always work. That still happens a lot.

Most times, I'm called a Lance.
A lot of times, I'm called a Saratoga.
Less frequently, a Cherokee.

The only one I try to correct is the Lancair one, simply because there's a non-trivial performance difference that's implied.
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I've been getting the Lancair thing too. Might have to add Piper at the beginning too.
 
Pilawt said:
The PA-28-180 was "Cherokee Challenger" and the PA-28-235 was "Cherokee Charger" for just the 1973 model year.
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Yep, and my plane is the 1973 PA-28-235 -- I'll usually give both, unless the frequency is busy enough that I don't want to consume more airtime than necessary. "279 is Piper Cherokee, P28B". Cherokee isn't wrong and they'll remember it, but being a 235 I'm faster (well, somewhat) than a lot of the other Cherokees out there.
 
Hang 4 said:
The cover of my plane's manual says it's a Challenger. I've never said "Challenger 1234" as I don't want to be confused with a regional jet. I'm fine with Cherokee or Archer. PA28/G if I get asked after checking in. I've been called a Cessna in tower traffic call outs lots of times. As long as they know my speed and don't call me late for dinner, I couldn't care less.
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The manual for my Yankee called it a Gulfstream. I didn't give in to the temptation. ;)
 
asicer said:
The P172D, R172K and 172RG are on the same TCDS as the 175 so tower is not entirely incorrect.
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This.

The 1963 P172D "Skyhawk Powermatic" is essentially an updated Skylark in that it's got the same GO-300 geared engine.
 
deyoung said:
Yep, and my plane is the 1973 PA-28-235 -- I'll usually give both, unless the frequency is busy enough that I don't want to consume more airtime than necessary. "279 is Piper Cherokee, P28B". Cherokee isn't wrong and they'll remember it, but being a 235 I'm faster (well, somewhat) than a lot of the other Cherokees out there.
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Really Chris, you don't have to rub it in. :(
 
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