"heavy" callsign usage

[Sampson]

Here's the skinny

The Heavy call sign is used by all A/C that are certificated north of 255,000 including 757's due to the wake turbulence issue with those aircraft, regardless of the current weight of the A/C, IE if your on a ferry flight and are light as a kite you still use the Heavy call sign.

It is only used for tower, approach and departure.

It is basically a backup reminder for the controller ( as its already designated on your strip) to give adequate separation. Center controllers give everyone the same separation so no need for the Heavy call sign.

It also helps the pilot behind you adjust accordingly to stay out of your wake zone, IE flying one dot high or slowing down.

Hope this helps.

 

[fokkers&beer]

I will disagree with Sampson on this issue. In the US, you must use Heavy with all calls, tower, ground, clearance, appoach, departure, and en route controllers. If you forget often times they will respond to you with the heavy call sign (or on a clearance frequency they will ask if you are heavy sometimes).
In Canada when you check in with a facility you will make the initial call with the Heavy callsign, thats it, you don't need to tell Moncton you are heavy every call.
In Europe, and the rest of the world I do agree with Sampson, the call is only for tower, approach and departure. They are the only ones you will use the heavy callsign for.

F&B

 

[time builder]

It also helps the pilot behind you adjust accordingly to stay out of your wake zone, IE flying one dot high or slowing down..

Another instance comes to mind where a captain told me to waive the wake turbulence advisory when we were given "position and hold" after a departing learjet. Our plane was larger, so not much risk.

Sure enough, the controller cleared us for takeoff right away. If it were a "heavy" we could not waive the advisory, from what he told me.

 

[IHateMgmt]

You got a wake turb advisory from an Lear?

 

[time builder]

You got a wake turb advisory from an Lear?

Yep, out of BUR at 3AM.

 

[MikeMD80]

-ATA's 757s are certified heavier than standard 75s, thus the "heavy" call sign. -300s are the same.

- As for non-heavy 757s, they get there own classification for wake separation. Heavys get 5 miles in trail, 757s get 4 miles on take-off.

As for the use of "Heavy" in the call sign, only in the terminal area. No one gives a sh*t how much you weight in the flight levels, in trail spacing is always the same .

 

[Midnight Flyer]

As for the use of "Heavy" in the call sign, only in the terminal area. No one gives a sh*t how much you weight in the flight levels, in trail spacing is always the same .

I agree with you 100%, but why do we always hear people calling Center at altitude using "heavy" after their callsign when we're at FL330?

 

[filejw]

The people saying "heavy" with the center are just uninformed I guess or lazy. "Heavy"is not used in most of Europe the ME or parts of Asia that I have flown in.

 

[fogrunner]

Do none of you have a hobby? Two pages and 28 posts about the heavy call sign.

Originally Posted by fokkers&beer
I will disagree with Sampson on this issue. In the US, you must use Heavy with all calls, tower, ground, clearance, appoach, departure, and en route controllers. If you forget often times they will respond to you with the heavy call sign (or on a clearance frequency they will ask if you are heavy sometimes).
In Canada when you check in with a facility you will make the initial call with the Heavy callsign, thats it, you don't need to tell Moncton you are heavy every call.
In Europe, and the rest of the world I do agree with Sampson, the call is only for tower, approach and departure. They are the only ones you will use the heavy callsign for.

F&B

What he said is correct basically right out of the FOPM.........

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

The Polish airlines flight flies every day from Chicago to Warsaw as "a lot too heavy." Lott airlines flt 2 is a B767.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

Do none of you have a hobby? Two pages and 28 posts about the heavy call sign

Well you're reading this thread, aren't you?

 

[big_al]

I think some people who use heavy in centers are just trying to show off that they fly big iron. and from what Ive heard, the pilots dont say 757 heavy, but the atc will advise "heavy 757 departing"

 

[(o) (o)]

Another company that uses "heavy" on their 757s is Aeromexico...or was it Mexicana?...well, it's one of the Mexican ones.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

I think some people who use heavy in centers are just trying to show off that they fly big iron. and from what Ive heard, the pilots dont say 757 heavy, but the atc will advise "heavy 757 departing"

As far as I know, HEAVY is to be used with the 757 equipment because even though it is not technically a heavy by its weight, it has been known to produce an unusually violent wake for its size and has caused an accident in the past. I do remember this as being a fact.

Regarding saying HEAVY to the center, this is not required except in other parts of the world. In the USA the use of the word HEAVY is only for contact with local control such as GC, Tower, Approach/Departure control.

Now in Canada, that country requires pilots to use the word HEAVY when checking in, even with the Canadian centers.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Do none of you have a hobby? Two pages and 28 posts about the heavy call sign.........

You're right. This is some people's hobby. Personally I like this and can spend several hours on this and other boards if I have nothing else to do.

Is that sick or what? Is there something wrong with those who like learning and sharing information about aviation? I do not think so.

Your questions and/or comments are always welcome.

Undaunted Flyer

 

[part61]

U really fly the shuttle Mr. Motorcycle Rider?

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

U really fly the shuttle Mr. Motorcycle Rider?

I only fly the shuttle in my dreams. The space shuttle is listed here because one time there was a thread here at FI that said to give yourself a virtual rating in anything. My choice was a V-rating in a Space Shuttle.

You can give yourself a v-rating too, if you wish.

 

[time builder]

The Polish airlines flight flies every day from Chicago to Warsaw as "a lot too heavy." Lott airlines flt 2 is a B767.

He he, that's a good one.