Using the Angel Flight Call Sign
Just when you were comfortable with the COMPASSION call sign, a new call sign was introduced. Read about the new Angel Flight call sign.

Introduction
You just got comfortable with the Compassion call sign. Now there is yet another. The FAA approved the "ANGEL FLIGHT" call sign with the identifier "NGF" for non-emergency, non-profit, public benefit flights.

How does this new call sign differ from the "COMPASSION" call sign that was introduced earlier? They are not different. The two call signs mean the same thing to ATC. Using the "ANGEL FLIGHT" call sign does however promote the mission of Angel Flight West and the other affiliated volunteer pilot organizations.

What is the ANGEL FLIGHT Call Sign?
The Angel Flight call sign and its three letter identifier NGF, like its cousin the COMPASSION call sign, is an FAA and ICAO approved and recognized call sign. The purpose of the call sign is to enable ATC to identify aircraft which are being flown for non-profit organizations such as Angel Flight West. Since it is recognized by the ICAO it may be used for international flights. The identification indicates to ATC the "...need for appropriate (but not priority) handling by ATC."

When To Use The ANGEL FLIGHT Call Sign
The ANGEL FLIGHT call sign can be used in the following situations:

• The ANGEL FLIGHT call sign may be used during a positioning or ferry flight only when the flight is time critical. For instance, when flying to another airport to pick-up cargo or passengers that is time critical but not life threatening.
  
  A possible example of such a mission would be an Angel Flight pilot flying from Sacramento to San Jose to pick up milk for the "San Bernardino Milk Run" that is flown frequently. The time critical nature is that the milk bank representatives are expecting to meet the pilot at San Jose at a particular time with some cargo that is to be received by others at San Bernardino at a specific time.
  
  
• When you are flying with passengers or cargo on an Angel Flight mission you may use the ANGEL FLIGHT call sign.
  Most of Angel Flight West's missions fall into one or both of the above categories.

How To Use The ANGEL FLIGHT Call Sign
The ANGEL FLIGHT identifier is new and as such many of the unforeseen "kinks" in the system are being worked out. Some of the following recommendations are from the AC 120-26H and some are gleaned from limited practice.

For All Flight Plans

1. When filing your flight plan in the Aircraft ID section indicate "NGF" plus the last digits/characters of your aircraft "N" number but not to exceed four digits or characters. For instance, if you are flying N12345 then write NGF2345 in the aircraft identifier box.
   
   
2. In the Remarks section indicate the the full call sign, tail number, and the organization that you are flying for. If you are flying N12345 on an Angel Flight West mission you would enter:
   
     ANGEL FLIGHT N12345 Angel Flight West

VFR Flight Usage

1. When calling the Flight Service Station to open your flight plan you may say:
   
     " Big City Radio ... ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 ... Request ..."
   
   
2. When calling approach, departure, or center ATC on initial contact you should say:
   
     " Big City Approach ... ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 ... 2,500 feet, over ..."
   
   
3. After you have established your ANGEL FLIGHT call sign on your intitial contact you may continue to use that call sign. For instance, when you have been handed over to another approach, departure, or center frequency and are reporting in on frequency then the following is appropriate:
   
     " Big City Center ... ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 ... level 5,500"

IFR Flight Usage

1. When you make intial contact with clearance delivery or ground control you should identify yourself as being a Angel Flight flight with the following:
   
     " Big City Ground ... ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 ... Request ..."
   
   
2. From then only you and ATC will refer to the flight as ANGEL FLIGHT 2345. For example after you have received your clearance and switch to the tower frequency for release and take-off clearance use the following phraseology:
   
     " Big City Tower ... ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 ... Ready for take-off."

Note that some controllers may ask you for your full "N" number so that they may associate "NGF2345" with an honest to goodness aircraft registration. Additionally, controllers may ask you for you aircraft type because the ANGEL FLIGHT call sign says nothing about your aircraft. If you are not in the habit of saying your aircraft type on the initial call to ATC then you might want to get started. For example on the initial call to ATC you might say:

"Big City Center ... ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 ... is a CHARLIE 182 slant Alpha ... 5,500 feet ... 10 miles northwest Salinas ... Landing Arcata ... Request flight following"

Using ANGEL FLIGHT vs. COMPASSION
Operationally there is no difference between the two call signs. ATC will handle flights with ANGEL FLIGHT call signs the same way they do with COMPASSION call signs. Using the Angel Flight call sign does promote the Angel Flight volunteer pilot organization.

Once you use either call sign please stay with your choice. The two call signs cannot be used interchangeably. Once you have identified yourself as ANGEL FLIGHT 2345 then continue to use the ANGEL FLIGHT call sign.

A Word of Caution
Pay close attention to the radio calls while your are flying with the ANGEL FLIGHT call sign. There are other call signs that sound similar to ANGEL FLIGHT, such as "EAGLE FLIGHT" which denotes an American Eagle air carrier. When in doubt about a transmission please VERIFY the transmission.

Using ANGEL FLIGHT and Lifeguard
Here are just a couple of guidelines for when to use the right call sign:

• Use the Lifeguard call sign only when appropriate. See AIM 424 a or b for more detailed information. Volunteer pilots flying non-emergency missions are cautioned not use the Lifeguard call sign. The Lifeguard call sign is a request to ATC for priority handling and could cause diversion of other aircraft.
  
• Angel Flight pilots may use the Lifeguard call sign when a passenger's condition deteriorates or if other conditions require priority handling by ATC. Before using the Lifeguard call sign make sure that ATC knows what is happening and they are part of the decision to use the Lifeguard call sign.
  
• Use the ANGEL FLIGHT call sign when flying positioning or ferrying flights for bona fide, public benefit, non-profit missions which are time critical in nature.
  
• Use the ANGEL FLIGHT call sign when flying cargo or passengers for bona fide, public benefit, non-profit missions.