Call sign origins

[daiver]

So, I was thinking a while ago about where do all those N-call signs come from.  Anyone have a clue?

The callsign I like (N555TI) seems to suprise ATC's.  Does it mean anything?

-Daiver

[esa17]

N denotes an aircraft registered in the United States.  Canada is C, Germany D, UK is G, and so on. The numbers are the registration serial number much like your license plate.  I have no idea if they are random or you can request personalized numbers.  It only sounds like the ATC is suprised because of the limitations of the software.

[KnightStryker]

One reason that your N number may suprise the ATC is that an N number cannot contain an I or an O. Don't belive me, check it out here: http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/acmain.htm
try entering in your N number and see what happens.

Kevin

[daiver]

You are absolutely right.  I'm going to try to find a new, acceptable one.

Thanks,
D

[Scottler]

And yes, N-numbers are selected by the aircraft owner.  ;)

[Ivan]

in the past you had N and NC in the US... Holland had the H (H-NACT, but that was changed to PH

KLM has reserved reg numbers, Transavia probably too.
If the first letter after the dash is a B, then it's a Boeing. Further A for airbus and (AFAIK) M for a MD machine. D is for Douglas

The 2nd letter has something to do with the aircraft series... -U- is a 747-200/747-300SF, -F- is a 747-400. The last letter is the order of purchase. --A is the first one, --B the second.

such as in
PH-BUA
PH-BUB
PH-BUC
etc.
(FYI: that were the first 3 747-200's of KLM)
PH-DCA is a DC-8-32