Callsign "Pass Code" - Westjet Encore use

[VE6RSU2]

Hello air fans!

I've been logging WestJet Encore aircraft using the call sign "Pass Code" or "Passcode" along with their flight number for a while now. I'm located in Calgary Alberta Canada - WestJet's headquarters city (YYC). ICAO document 8585 lists out what is approved for use and I see that WestJet Encore aircraft are to use "Encore" - which I have also logged.

What gives? Why the use of 2 callsigns? Any ideas? Have any other listeners logged "Passcode"?

Thanks for your help...

Mike

VE6RSU

 

[ATCTech]

Is this on ATC or company frequencies? I'm near Toronto and worked in the centre here and I've never heard anything but Encore spoken. Any recording you can share?

 

[VE6RSU2]

I've logged "Passcode" callsigns both on ATC Frequencies and 131.650 Company frequency (WestJet). Last night I logged Passcode 3000 working company dispatch on 131.650 with flight details - It's a Calgary to Lethbridge flight so pretty close. I thought that I heard them using Encore with the tower, but I was half asleep and not paying too much attention.

I Originally logged a "Passcode 9999" on the ground frequency (121.9) about a month ago and noted it - sounded strange - strange call and strange flight number. I checked that flight number (9999) but did not find a correlation. I was originally thinking this might be a callsign for an empty aircraft (no passengers - a transfer flight)? I will keep listening and see what I get. And I will try and get a recording.

 

[ATCTech]

It's PASCO, Pacific Coastal operating for WestJet Link.

WestJet Link - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ATCTech]

I should have said operating AS WestJet Link.

 

[spanky15805]

VE6RSU... Kinduva' off the beaten path, since you mentioned YYC, I started looking for PASCO and ran across ST40, ST42 and ST44. It took the 2 brain cells a couple of seconds to fire off. Listen to those units at all?

 

[Jay911]

If you're looking at FR24 or other similar sites to see the ST## units, I would bet they are on the airport's TETRA/Hytera system and thus unmonitorable.

 

[VE6RSU2]

Thanks for the info ATCTech! Mystery solved!

I logged Pasco 3014, 3047 and 3000 (again) on ATC frequencies last night at my listening time.

Spanky15805 - As for the ST units - are they "Sweeper Trucks?" If so, yes I have logged them asking for permission to work runways and taxi ways from ground control. I will check FR24 when I'm listening tonight. Lots of neat ground equipment on the ground control frequencies "Air Canada Tow", "Airport 1", "Airport 2", "WestJet Tow 506".

Jay - I'm trying to get TETRA working though my DSD+ - I'm wondering if Airport Authority have switched to another system as I'm no longer hearing TETRA data on 856.2125/864.2125 like I used to. I will post this info to Prairies/Pacific Coast.

Thanks for the help everyone!