ICAO Type Descriptors and Designators (ACFT)

Question 1

What is an ICAO aircraft type designator? What are they used for? In which ICAO document can they be found?

Answer 1

The up-to four letter code assigned to the models of aircraft most commonly used in air traffic services, intended for the use in flight plans and ANS messages? They are laid down in ICAO document 8643.

Question 2

What does the first character in an ICAO aircraft type description signify? What are the possible options?

Answer 2

Signifies the type of vehicle it is, most broadly. The possibilities are L for land plane, S for sea plane, A for amphibian plane, H for helicopter, G for gyrocopter, and T for tilt-wing aircraft.

Question 3

What does the second character in an ICAO aircraft type description signify? What are the possible options?

Answer 3

Signifies the number of engines. Will either be a number, or the letter C, denoting coupled engines.

Question 4

What does the third character in an ICAO aircraft type description signify? What are the possible options?

Answer 4

Signifies the type of engine. Could be P, for piston, T, for turboprop, or J, for jet.