ATC misspeaking tail numbers

[scotjn1]

I flew my longest roundtrip to date this weekend. During the 1,000+ miles (IFR, but 100% VMC), ATC jumbled my tail number no fewer than 5 times. Contextually, I knew every time that it was me, and I said my correct tail number a little slowly and very clearly in response rather than make a big deal of it. Twice there was a similar tail number as mine on frequency, and the controller let us know they'd be using our full numbers when talking to us, so I know they're paying close attention when it counts.

Do controllers often get tongue tied like this? If so, do you gently call them out on it because precision matters, or do you just let it slide as I did?

 

[AA5Bman]

I correct them, but it’s usually an honest mistake. I don’t know that it’s a reg per se, but a lot of rules are based off of positively identifying the aircraft by number (eg entry into certain airspaces), so I want that to be on the record correctly.

You could just been unlucky. Possible also your radio is not 5x5.

 

[dans2992]

Stuff happens. Just clarify on your readback.

 

[luvflyin]

I flew my longest roundtrip to date this weekend. During the 1,000+ miles (IFR, but 100% VMC), ATC jumbled my tail number no fewer than 5 times. Contextually, I knew every time that it was me, and I said my correct tail number a little slowly and very clearly in response rather than make a big deal of it. Twice there was a similar tail number as mine on frequency, and the controller let us know they'd be using our full numbers when talking to us, so I know they're paying close attention when it counts.

Do controllers often get tongue tied like this? If so, do you gently call them out on it because precision matters, or do you just let it slide as I did?

What is your tail number? If you don’t want to say for privacy then give some hints. Is it 5 character? Does it have 2’s and 3’s in it? Repeating same numbers/letters?