What is my ICAO code?

455 Bravo Uniform

455 Bravo Uniform

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455 Bravo Uniform
I was /U when I had my Mode C transponder.

I have been using /G since my new ADS-B transponder, and my Avidyne GPS install.

Question #1: Is /G correct?

Question #2: It’s just an equipment code, right, and not based on a pilot’s ability to use said equipment? (I don’t have my IR.)

Question #3: What if I don’t have updated approach plates in the GPS, still /G, even though not legal for approaches?
 
Educated guess:
yes, yes & yes
 
The ICAO codes are so....ugh...

The website I use to file my ICAO flight plans, I simply check the boxes for the equipment I have and they submit whatever the appropriate code is. Not sure it is just /G like it used to be.
 
So you have a GNSS and LPV approved install? If so, you are a B,G. Just the GNSS gives you G. Whatever your code is, ATC can only issue you instructions that exercise those capabilities.
 
Unit74 said:
So you have a GNSS and LPV approved install? If so, you are a B,G. Just the GNSS gives you G. Whatever your code is, ATC can only issue you instructions that exercise those capabilities.
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Avidyne IFD540

I guess the root of my question is - whatever equipment is on the plane, the ICAO code tells ATC what’s on board, but the pilot may not be able to actually use it. So do you file “equipment capability” or “pilot ability”?
 
Equipment. It’s up to the PIC to decide what they can do.
 
Yes, yes, and yes.

Point of order: /G isn't an ICAO equipment code, that's an FAA equipment code. ICAO flight plans use a crap-ton of codes. When I'm flying the Mooney, it's BGRS for eqiupment, B2E for surveillance, and B2C2D2 for PBN. In the TBM, it's BDGRSY, B2H, and B2D2.

/G is for GPS, but does not imply GPS or LPV approach capability. That ambiguity is probably why ICAO has so many codes.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
Avidyne IFD540

I guess the root of my question is - whatever equipment is on the plane, the ICAO code tells ATC what’s on board, but the pilot may not be able to actually use it. So do you file “equipment capability” or “pilot ability”?
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Like @Unit74 just said, you decide. If you aren’t going to use the GPS because it’s not up to date then you shouldn’t file /G. Maybe you want to use it enroute because you have verified that the airway structure and waypoints you will flying through haven’t changed since the last update. Then file /G and if you don’t want to do RNAV Approaches just let them know. I would wait until closer to destination to do that and not bother a controller many sectors away with it. Maybe you don’t want to use it enroute except you are ok with using it to identify DME fixes, then file /A.

EDIT: not this simple, keep reading
 
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If you are not operating IFR it really doesn't matter. Never did.

If you are, /G is "old school" and you want to ICAO codes. You can go deeper, but SGB without even entering the RNP stuff will do the job.
 
Just go BasicMed so you’re ineligible for international flight, and then you can just fly around NORDO and cut people off in the pattern at will. Saves a lot of time and needless BS.
 
midlifeflyer said:
If you are not operating IFR it really doesn't matter. Never did.

If you are, /G is "old school" and you want to ICAO codes. You can go deeper, but SGB without even entering the RNP stuff will do the job.
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Good point. When the OP made the comparison between /U and /G I just assumed what he was asking about is the traditional ‘Suffix Code.’ U in ICAO speak is UHF radios which obviously isn’t what he was wondering about. I haven’t filed ‘directly’ in a long time but use Foreflight. It asks for your FAA Equipment as well as ICAO equipment, surveillance, wake category and PBN. So now I’m wondering, what gets through to the Controller. @Radar Contact is the only active IFR facility controller I know of here. @Timbeck2, what do you see there at the Tower? Is it still the good ol’ X T U D B A M N P R W F etc Suffix Codes?
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Yes, yes, and yes.

Point of order: /G isn't an ICAO equipment code, that's an FAA equipment code.....

/G is for GPS, but does not imply GPS or LPV approach capability. That ambiguity is probably why ICAO has so many codes.
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G is an ICAO code. It represents GNSS nav installed. There are more that whittle down the specifics such as rnp or lpv capability. “Slant G” is no longer an accurate verbiage under ICAO. That was an FAA thing.
 
True, I was referring to the FAA codes. I need to read up and educate myself (clearly). Thanks to all.
 
Unit74 said:
G is an ICAO code. It represents GNSS nav installed. There are more that whittle down the specifics such as rnp or lpv capability. “Slant G” is no longer an accurate verbiage under ICAO. That was an FAA thing.
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Now I’m wondering how far behind the times I am. Are FAA Form 7233 Flight Plans used at all anymore? If not, does anyone know why Foreflight still has a box for FAA Equipment? What about the other ‘apps,’ Garmin Pilot etc?

EDIT: 7233-4 is the FAA’s International form
 
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midlifeflyer said:
If you are not operating IFR it really doesn't matter. Never did.
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I use Flight Following occasionally but not a lot. A few days ago, after my initial call, the controller asked my suffix. I don't know why it mattered. But that then led to a discussion in the cockpit whether it was /U or /G because I was using Avare.
 
Rgbeard said:
So..... you're in Indiana?

When are you getting your Instrument Rating? It's awfully useful where you live!!
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Yep! Indeed it is. The plan was to be IR by the end of 2019, but it’ll be mid-2020 realistically, due to my laziness. That’s part of the reason for my panel upgrade a couple months ago (new WAAS GPS interacting with my existing HSI, plus new stand-alone glideslope indicator and existing KX155 for ILS fun).
 
Unit74 said:
Does this help you guys?

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...ing/media/FPLBrochureChange_6_2018_May_02.pdf

Field 10a and 10b for our bugsmashers....
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That does look like suffix codes are history. Lots of info if you go to https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...nits/air_traffic_services/flight_plan_filing/

There’s that thing about the monthly Flight Plan Filing Service Telecons. I’m still trying to get my head wrapped around why Foreflight asks for FAA Equipment if it’s not used. And do other Flight Plan Filing Service providers such as Garmin Pilot, Flight Plan go etc, ask the same. @Lindberg in post #16 above said it was just a couple days ago a Controller wanted to know his Suffix Code. Still waiting for a currently working Controller to weigh in on this

EDIT: Suffix codes are not history, they’re still in use.
 
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midlifeflyer said:
If you are not operating IFR it really doesn't matter. Never did.

If you are, /G is "old school" and you want to ICAO codes. You can go deeper, but SGB without even entering the RNP stuff will do the job.
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You’re a pop up. Maybe your looking for a Clearance when you haven’t previously filed. Maybe it got cloudy and you need to get down, maybe a practice Approach, maybe just flight following. You’re flying a plane that has VOR, a Mode C transponder but no GPS. When they ask for your type aircraft, what are you? A slant what?
 
For ICAO, GBS works OK for nav equipment if you have ILS and WAAS GPS. If you are 1090ES in and out, then EB2 for transponder. Close enough for government work. The FAA format forms are (relatively) easy to figure out. The ICAO forms are...tedious.
 
chemgeek said:
For ICAO, GBS works OK for nav equipment if you have ILS and WAAS GPS. If you are 1090ES in and out, then EB2 for transponder. Close enough for government work. The FAA format forms are (relatively) easy to figure out. The ICAO forms are...tedious.
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What do you do when you’re a pop up looking for flight following or a clearance when you haven’t previously filed? When they ask for type aircraft, you are an AA5/what?
 
So FAA codes are a composite of equipment with a single code for navigation and transponder. So G is the code for a GPS and a mode C transponder. With ICAO codes, you specify each piece of equipment or capability. My advice is to specify what you have, if you don't understand the particular code, you probably don't have it. So for a GPS with a transponder, codes of S, G would likely apply with C for the transponder. S is the code for Standard Stuff, VOR, ILS, and VHF Com. If you have a WAAS GPS, then add B for LPV. If you have ADS-B Out using a transponder such as KT74, Trig, Avidyne, Garmin GTX330, or Strauts, specify E, B1. If you have a Lynx, Garmin GTX 3X5, or GNX375, specify E, B2. If you have a UAT for ADS-B Out such as the uAvionix, GDL82, Free Flight, specify C, U1. If the UAT also has ADS-B In (some Free Flight, GDL84/88) specify C. U2.
 
John Collins said:
So FAA codes are a composite of equipment with a single code for navigation and transponder. So G is the code for a GPS and a mode C transponder. With ICAO codes, you specify each piece of equipment or capability. My advice is to specify what you have, if you don't understand the particular code, you probably don't have it. So for a GPS with a transponder, codes of S, G would likely apply with C for the transponder. S is the code for Standard Stuff, VOR, ILS, and VHF Com. If you have a WAAS GPS, then add B for LPV. If you have ADS-B Out using a transponder such as KT74, Trig, Avidyne, Garmin GTX330, or Strauts, specify E, B1. If you have a Lynx, Garmin GTX 3X5, or GNX375, specify E, B2. If you have a UAT for ADS-B Out such as the uAvionix, GDL82, Free Flight, specify C, U1. If the UAT also has ADS-B In (some Free Flight, GDL84/88) specify C. U2.
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Near as I can tell just one letter gets through to the Controllers at the scope. Do you know if all the codes that get filed get reduced to one letter from the old x t u d b a m n p r w f list? Or is it from the ICAO Flight Plan field 10 a or b list?
 
luvflyin said:
You’re a pop up. Maybe your looking for a Clearance when you haven’t previously filed. Maybe it got cloudy and you need to get down, maybe a practice Approach, maybe just flight following. You’re flying a plane that has VOR, a Mode C transponder but no GPS. When they ask for your type aircraft, what are you? A slant what?
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Funny, I don't recall ever having been asked or automatically given my "slant" equipment code during a pop-up, But that doesn't answer you question.

In the world of minimum information on a pop-up IFR, you'd probably be OK saying "/G." Not because it is technically correct, but because, if they ask, the only thing anyone cares about is what capability you have. Everyone still understands "slant Golf" is shorthand for "I have IFR GPS capability." Like "BFR" is still a flight review.

Would I say, for example (even if I could remember it all :D), "we're ICAO SGBR PBN/C2D2S1S2"? Not on your life.
 
luvflyin said:
Near as I can tell just one letter gets through to the Controllers at the scope. Do you know if all the codes that get filed get reduced to one letter from the old x t u d b a m n p r w f list? Or is it from the ICAO Flight Plan field 10 a or b list?
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I was just in a tower last month and they’re still using the FAA equipment suffix on flight strips. They can access the ICAO stuff on a flight plan readout though. Why they would, I have no idea.
 
On the scope, just one gets to the controller and its usually just the type aircraft such as PA28/A or /R. Where the equipment codes are important is in the flight plan and how its filed will determine what routing one will get. If no code is entered we don't automatically get a beacon code and then that's when we have to ask for equipment suffix. Then the computer will spit out a beacon code.
 
I checked just now, and the FAA's contracted Flight Service provider (1800wxbrief.com) is still accepting domestic IFR flight plans in FAA format. There's a note at the upper right, saying "Notice: Per FAA Guidance, IFR flights exiting US airspace must be filed as ICAO flight plans." (There's also a button that lets you switch to ICAO format, and that gives you access to a button for an instructional video.)
 
midlifeflyer said:
Funny, I don't recall ever having been asked or automatically given my "slant" equipment code during a pop-up, But that doesn't answer you question.

In the world of minimum information on a pop-up IFR, you'd probably be OK saying "/G." Not because it is technically correct, but because, if they ask, the only thing anyone cares about is what capability you have. Everyone still understands "slant Golf" is shorthand for "I have IFR GPS capability." Like "BFR" is still a flight review.

Would I say, for example (even if I could remember it all :D), "we're ICAO SGBR PBN/C2D2S1S2"? Not on your life.
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Aw come on, do it just for a laugh?:D If you didn’t have GPS, just the usual stuff, that would have been /U. Is that what you’d give them?
 
Timbeck2 said:
On the scope, just one gets to the controller and its usually just the type aircraft such as PA28/A or /R. Where the equipment codes are important is in the flight plan and how its filed will determine what routing one will get. If no code is entered we don't automatically get a beacon code and then that's when we have to ask for equipment suffix. Then the computer will spit out a beacon code.
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Yeah. What I’m trying to figure out is what the computer does to come up with that one letter to send to you after filing something like SGBRPBN/C2D2S1S2 as in @midlifeflyer ’s example above. And what is the list of letters they have now. I think may have found it. Still checking.
 
Velocity173 said:
I was just in a tower last month and they’re still using the FAA equipment suffix on flight strips. They can access the ICAO stuff on a flight plan readout though. Why they would, I have no idea.
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Why? To answer my f’n question, that’s why?:mad::)
 
luvflyin said:
Why? To answer my f’n question, that’s why?:mad::)
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Lol! Apparently the system automatically translates all that SGBR nonsense and gives them an equipment suffix that they can use for their purposes. Even with the equipment suffix, I honestly can’t say I ever looked at one on position. I’d bet you $100 that if a /U requests a GPS approach, ATC is gonna clear them for it.
 
Velocity173 said:
Lol! Apparently the system automatically translates all that SGBR nonsense and gives them an equipment suffix that they can use for their purposes. Even with the equipment suffix, I honestly can’t say I ever looked at one on position. I’d bet you $100 that if a /U requests a GPS approach, ATC is gonna clear them for it.
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I don't doubt that for a minute.
 
luvflyin said:
Good point. When the OP made the comparison between /U and /G I just assumed what he was asking about is the traditional ‘Suffix Code.’ U in ICAO speak is UHF radios which obviously isn’t what he was wondering about. I haven’t filed ‘directly’ in a long time but use Foreflight. It asks for your FAA Equipment as well as ICAO equipment, surveillance, wake category and PBN. So now I’m wondering, what gets through to the Controller. @Radar Contact is the only active IFR facility controller I know of here. @Timbeck2, what do you see there at the Tower? Is it still the good ol’ X T U D B A M N P R W F etc Suffix Codes?
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I still get strips for arrivals and departures that show the equipment suffix. I used to know them all without looking but it's changed a bunch. The computer will help out a bit as it shows the RNAV/GPS capable over those routes and the /A VOR types over those routes. Everyone initially gets offered the advertised instrument or visual approach unless they have a different request (i.e RNP). If I need to know, I can look it up on the screen above me but that is very rare.
 
Velocity173 said:
Lol! Apparently the system automatically translates all that SGBR nonsense and gives them an equipment suffix that they can use for their purposes. Even with the equipment suffix, I honestly can’t say I ever looked at one on position. I’d bet you $100 that if a /U requests a GPS approach, ATC is gonna clear them for it.
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They better, they have no authority to deny it.
 
Ok, I’m a stoopid sheet. Been googlin, reading foreflight manuals etc and not coming up with the current list of Suffix Codes and then the voice says “look in the AIM dummy.” And by gum by golly thar it be. 5-1-8 a. 3. TBL 5-1-3. Anyway, It doesn’t seem it would be complicated at all for the FAA’s computer to reduce the alphabet soup of codes in an ICAO Flight Plan to a single letter Suffix Code to send to the Controllers strip printers and their Radar scopes so they can do their thing.
The Foreflight thang that was confusing me goes like this. Before filing you have to ‘set up’ the aircraft you’ll be flying and filing. That asks for FAA Equipment. It gives you a drop down list of the Suffix Codes and no, there’s no I dunno, I don’t care, leave me alone I’m gonna file ICAO. Ya gotta pick one. It also asks for ICAO Equipment and ICAO Surveillance. Here you can dump in a whole can of Campbell’s Cream of Alphabet Soup. Now it’s time to File. You can pick FAA/Domestic or ICAO. If you pick FAA your Type Aircraft becomes a /whatever you entered in FAA Equipment. If you pick ICAO it becomes a /D, G, S, Y(my plane) or whatever you had entered in the Aircraft ‘set up.’
 
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