Burr wrote:
Afternoon,
What are they talking about when they say "Heavy" or "slick sided" ?

I keep wondering and today I ask!!!


You add the world "Heavy" to your call sign if the aircraft is capable
of having a Max Takeoff Weight of 255,000 lbs or greater. Even if your
actual takeoff weight is less than 255,000 lbs as long as the aircraft
is capable then you must use Heavy. Example: "Miami Center American
498 Heavy with you level Flight Level 330"

This is so that ATC and any aircraft who hears the callsign realizes
this is a heavy aircraft. The reason this is important is to because
the heavier an aircraft is the more 'wake turbulance' it will generate.

Now the term slick-sided is new to me. Never heard this in 16 years of
having my pilots license.... Can you recall in what context it was
used? Part of a Callsign? The sentence it was used in might give me a
clue...

George
http://www.MilAirComms.com