The Aircraft Electronics Association is warning business aircraft operators about the potential for aircraft identification mismatch when using ADS-B Out equipment. This issue occurs whenever the aircraft identification, such as an approved call sign, or tail number listed in a flight plan does not exactly match the ADS-B-transmitted identification, AEA said.

While less common, a tail number mismatch could be caused by a “simple typo” when a technician first programs the ADS-B Out unit, it noted. The more likely scenario of such a mismatch lies with operators that use a call sign on some or all of their flights, according to AEA. This is especially true for those using common special call signs for priority ATC handling, such as “Lifeguard,” “Medevac” or “Compassion,” or call signs provided by a flight-planning company.

To avoid an aircraft identification mismatch when using a call sign, FAA aviation safety inspector James Kenney recommended that operators install an ADS-B unit with a pilot-programmable call sign feature and require pilots to check that the inputted data matches the aircraft identification block in their FAA flight plan. Those without a pilot-programmable ADS-B unit should use their tail number in the aircraft identification block and include the call sign in the remarks section of their flight plan, he said.