IFR Flight to Key West

[@shaneconn1752]

I cant stress enough how helpful your videos are for me. As a private with 150 hours and working on instrument, the way you show your steps are almost as good as if I was sitting in the plane with an expert walking me through it. Fantastic job! A+

[@martinpauly]

Great to hear - and best of luck for your instrument rating! - Martin

[@atcpilot4life]

As a center controller, thank you for your radio etiquette! You would be shocked at how bad it is these days. Awesome video!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you - I remember here in Florida, where there’s a lot of flight training for pilots whose first language is not English, I overhear a lot of radio transmissions which are hard for me to understand. My hat is off to you controllers! - Martin

[@rustycalvera977]

what great production value at work here...with cameras galore....takes real skill to coordinate all these film assets into one seamless narrative. .....great fun to watch.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Rusty. I'm glad you enjoyed this video. - Martin

[@mishmish1968]

Another fab flight thanks Captain for having us. 🌹

[@martinpauly]

It's always my pleasure to share my flying adventures! - Martin

[@aeroringordmngr8739]

Well done. A great tutorial for those planning a KEYW trip. Thanks KAPF

[@martinpauly]

Thanks for the kind words! - Martin

[@michaelcohen3564]

South Florida pilot working on IFR. This was SO helpful. Thanks.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Michael. Best of luck for your instrument rating! - Martin

[@cosmicbrewery]

absolutely love your ifr flights. I'm doing ifr training at the moment and love the real world flights!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, and good luck for your instrument training! - Martin

[@kenstevenson4133]

Great situational awareness. Nice to have those nav tools available. Enjoyed the ride.

[@martinpauly]

Indeed, Ken - the modern avionics system make it so easy to navigate on a flight like this! - Martin

[@christinewunder1672]

Bravo Martin, great footage and especially like the heads up overlay on final! PS Now a resident of Merritt Island, out of KCOI, be well my friend...

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Christine! Merritt Island - nice area, and I did some instruction out of COI while we were in the area last winter. You definitely don't want to overrun landing runway 11 (or land short on 29)... 😊 - Martin

[@christinewunder1672]

@@martinpauly I joined the MIFC, buzzing around in a 150 on the cheep! PS I keep a floaty cushion in the plane...

[@yuriahharris9882]

I really enjoy that you let us follow along with your checklists, explain the inputs you make in your radios and nav equipment, and explain the thought processes behind your decision making. Really great format. Great flight captain!

[@martinpauly]

Happy to hear that you find these things helpful! - Martin

[@rajanbhatnagar3013]

Great video, Martin!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed the flight! - Martin

[@chrisdutoit2641]

Love how you stay ahead of the aircraft. It's something we should all focus more on.

[@odayta]

Thanks for another superb video of your flight Martin. Always look forward to your work. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job of presenting a "you are there" video of a GA flight. The knowledge you impart is so professionally done. Your buttonology is a good example as is your thinking through "what if" scenarios. Well done!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you very much for the kind words, and I am glad to hear you enjoy these flight videos. - Martin

[@cantstandtheestablishment4004]

The heads-up display on short final was really cool! I've never seen that on any pilot channel that I follow.

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed the HUD-like symbology. The credit goes to FlySto.net . Years ago I tried superimposing instruments that way in a video, but it didn’t look great. FlySto has made this really easy. - Martin

[@billcox5217]

I agree, that was excellent. I only fly flight sim, but your videos really help me make it real.

[@JonathanFinkGroup]

Nicely done. Your panel is outstanding!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you very much! - Martin

[@tn8402]

Just fantastic video. So well produced. Love the very easy to follow close ups of using autopilot, etc. thank you!

[@martinpauly]

Glad you got something out of this one! - Martin

[@ronaldperez6010]

Great video! Thanks for your hard work and effort bringing it to the community!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Ronald! - Martin

[@lee.schulz]

Another great video, Martin! Thanks for bringing us along! -Lee

[@martinpauly]

My pleasure, Lee! - Martin

[@jameswebb2856]

Awesome video. In the 70's I flew a turbo 210 from Reno to Cheyenne Wyoming at FL210. I love watching your videos.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, James. Hopefully these videos bring back some nice memories. - Martin

[@jameswebb2856]

@@martinpauly They do bring back great memories.

[@kevincollins8014]

Always so much fun riding along with you. Florida definitely has some amazing scenery and places to visit. Thanks for taking the time to film and bring us along Martin!

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed it, Kevin! - Martin

[@randymcmeekin1955]

Another excellent video - Thanks Martin.

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed it, Randy! - Martin

[@DaddyRecon1]

Badass, awesome flight!

[@Stepclimb]

Hey Martin, Your camera setup and editing is fantastic. At 3:38 when you do the gross ignition check, have you considered watching that all 6 EGTs rise when each magneto is selected individually? I feel this gives a better indication of individual plug “health” as opposed to simply briefly watching the RPM drop the same amount.

[@martinpauly]

I do an occasional LOP mag check in cruise instead. I did a video on that topic a few years ago. It is by far the best way to find an ignition problem early. - Martin

[@williamkennedy2069]

Yet another great video, thank you very much

[@martinpauly]

My pleasure, William! - Martin

[@da40fan27]

I saw my old junior high (HOB) on your left and high school (KWHS) on the right on short final. Thanks for the memories!

[@martinpauly]

You are very welcome! - Martin

[@dreamcatchercowboy]

Great professional flight.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you! 😎 - Martin

[@chinese244]

This is my second video of yours...and I love it...I appreciate the info in between and what you are doing. ( talking about the little windows for example the checklist ). it puts you in the seat as if I was flying the game....I know may sound corny ...but thats what I get out of it. THANK YOU AGAIN !!!

[@martinpauly]

I am glad you enjoyed coming along for this flight! - Martin

[@TheAlf61]

Mighty nice flight Martin you were getting uneasy down low but you had plenty shallow water to ditch on if everything went sour. Even a Buoy!

[@martinpauly]

You are right - and ditching key the keys would be much better than an off-airport landing in the Glades! - Martin

[@OlavSurlandHansen]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos! Your German (Austrian?) attention to detail is amazing. I wish the guys at AirClips could learn a thing or two from you about camera views, subtitling of ATC dialogue, instrument displays etc. Following your flights is always entertaining and interesting because of your superb presentation of what is happening to you as a PIC. I even like listening to your well maintained engine! Mind you, all I know about aviation I learned from YT videos, especially information packed ones, like yours. Thanks for your good work, Martin!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you for the kind words, Olav - it's nice to hear that videos like this one have helped you learn about aviation! - Martin

[@adam-hd7kg]

I flew in and out of Key West last January in my T206H and the winds were constantly gusty cross winds at the airport. It was hard to take off and land there.

[@martinpauly]

I've been to Key West a handful of times so far, fortunately always with nice weather and no wind issues. Knock on wood... - Martin

[@CirrusSR20Pilot]

Great video! Flying over all those alligators....whoa! I like how you always have the engine-out emergency glide airport pre-selected. I do exactly the same thing! Thanks for another awesome video!

[@madrush8]

Living the key west lifestyle vicariously. Love the video!

[@RogerBardwaj]

I like the heads up view when landing

[@martinpauly]

It’s nice, isn’t it? Courtesy of FlySto.net - Martin

[@misawajason]

Weather looks amazing for February.

[@azcharlie2009]

Hello Martin! Another very interesting flight! Thanks for letting us ride along. I'm wondering if you are still in Florida? We are here in Cedar Rapids until this Wednesday. We picked up our repaired travel trailer and will be heading back to Arizona then. Don't know if I told you, but our trip to Oshkosh was interrupted by a bearing failure. We had to leave the camper behind and go back home early. We could not make it to Oshkosh. So, maybe we'll see you there next year. Rick from Tucson.

[@chrisnegele6875]

Did this many times in the 80’s during my flight instructor years even then they would almost never let you fly the coast IFR. Down low VFR was the way.

[@martinpauly]

I’ve made this flight a few times, including VFR down low along the east coast (which was a lot more work with all the Towers/Class D airspace) but more scenic. - Martin

[@dirceuluizmanfroramos9988]

A nice flight! Congratulations.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it! - Martin

[@mrsaskriders]

Awesome flight and very informative 😊

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Martin

[@bpena]

Hello from Airglades (2IS)! The fires you saw were burning sugar cane fields. They burn them before harvesting.

[@martinpauly]

Good to know - thanks! - Martin

[@christopherpeters5916]

Love your glass, miss Vincent's steam guages, n711ja

[@martinpauly]

I’m very happy with how the big avionics upgrade turned out two years ago. - Martin

[@Mlgraham22]

Always enjoy your trips. So meticulous. You set a good example for all us viewers. One question: can you request your original plan for the better sightseeing or is that bad form?

[@martinpauly]

Thank you for the kind words. Anything can be requested; as to whether that’s bad form or not, I’ll leave that up to local Florida pilots to answer. I could see how that airspace around Fort Lauderdale and Miami is really busy and it’s easier for them if I’m not going through that as well. - Martin

[@padsliderfranco9561]

Awesome flight thank you M

[@martinpauly]

Thanks for flying along this morning! - Martin

[@cyrouskhavari969]

Great Informative, and enjoyable video, as always. Thank you.

[@skycop56]

Nice job Martin. You are too nice to ATC. They took you way off your route perhaps to keep you away from all the coastal traffic but maybe because they thought you’d prefer the shorter route. But the long overwater portion was not preferred, and as a retired controller I think you should say so. Good controllers don’t mind and will do what they can to accommodate you. Keep the videos coming, they are very enjoyable to watch. Clear skies my friend!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking about that, but I also know how busy the airspace is South Florida is. Plus given as high as I was, there really wasn’t a safety concern in a single on this flight. So I decided to play along. Nice handle, by the way! (Skycop) - Martin

[@fly-n-m9445]

Another great one Martin. 👍 had to chuckle at your choice, gators or sharks,😂

[@martinpauly]

Thanks - hopefully I won’t ever have to make this choice for real! - Martin

[@jrod_pilot_miami]

Hello Martin! Love your videos! Curious fact, the Dade-Collier Training and Transition (KTNT) field was built in the 70s as a relief airport for KMIA, as passenger travel was (rightly) expected to increase and overwhelm MIA. At one point it was even thought Miami would be a hub for SST travel. But as is typical with some of these projects, no long-term plan was developed for construction of a terminal and infrastructure to the airport. It's about an hour plus car ride from Miami. It was met with significant opposition from environmental groups. The FAA ban on SSTs in the US was the final nail in TNTs coffin. Prior to the advent of modern flight simulators, it was later used by airlines to train pilots (10,500 ft runway). It's now used by GA for training. I've done many practices flights there.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you for sharing this - I did not know this before about KTNT. I do remember that a fair amount of airline pilot training was done in the real airplane back in the 1970s and 1980s in a lot of places! Best regards, Martin

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day Martin from Sydney Australia. Really enjoyed the video. Thankyou for explaining the balloon obstruction requiring change of track. Like the HUD on landing: would have been nice to visual the Falcon jet through the camera. 🌏🇦🇺

[@martinpauly]

Glad you liked it, John. Unfortunately the GoPro cameras are not good at picking up smaller objects like other nearby aircraft. - Martin

[@christopherpeters5916]

Outstanding sir

[@martinpauly]

Thank you!

[@GaryMCurran]

Martin, before I forget. Dan Millican was talking about redoing the panel in Lola, his T210. He already has one of the older Aspen displays. In looking over the options, the GFC600 is not available (according to Garmin's website) for the T210, but he could use the GFC500. I notice you have the GI-275 as a backup to the Aspen. My question is, what drives your GFC600? The Aspens, which I think is correct, or the GI-275. If it's the -275, is that getting the course information and such from the Aspen displays? You might have covered this is a different video, but it's been a while, and I don't feel like going to search it out, just asking is better (for me).

[@martinpauly]

Hi Gary, Your assumption is correct - the Aspens drive my GFC600 directly. The GI275 is merely a backup (a very nice one, though!) in my setup. If Dan installed the GFC500 and used a Garmin backup display as the “brain” of the autopilot, he would then have to make adjustments to heading, altitude etc. on both the Aspen and the Garmin display. Possible - some people do this - but not ideal. Regards, Martin

[@GaryMCurran]

Thank you, Martin. I haven't been able to watch a lot of your videos lately, but when I can, I always enjoy them. Thank you for your answer.

[@JorgeMFilho-bs8cb]

Greetings from Brazil!

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Jorge - all the best back from Iowa! - Martin

[@user-iw3mr2lv6f]

Nice job Martin! Fun❤👍🤘

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! - Martin

[@davidmullet1030]

Thanks

[@martinpauly]

My pleasure! - Martin

[@Shaneepe1]

That was awesome man! loved it!

[@Ed-hz2um]

Another great IFR demo, Martin. Did you add a heads-up display, or is that just an instrument overlay on final at KEYW?

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed the HUD-like symbology. The credit goes to FlySto.net . Years ago I tried superimposing instruments that way in a video, but it didn’t look great. FlySto has made this really easy. - Martin

[@Ed-hz2um]

@@martinpauly Nice article in AOPA magazine this month on SlySto.

[@michaelduckworth6127]

Best ever - thanks!

[@martinpauly]

Glad you liked it! - Martin

[@christophvz]

Great procedures as always Martin. It’s impressive you’re getting such good O2 saturation at 15,000 using the portable saturator. Curious what mask are you using - is it the Oxysaver Cannula with Pendant or did it come with the unit?

[@slimesspeedshoptv]

clean, professional.

[@airslicers4803]

Great video Martin! Can I ask how you crate your checklist card? It’s very nice and clean.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks! It’s a simple printout which I had laminated at a print shop. Here is a downloadable template: www.martin.aero/wordpress/?page_id=321

[@airslicers4803]

@@martinpauly thanks for the link that is very helpful.

[@neilmurgatroyd3197]

Good one Martin. Saw you at Oshkosh but didn't get chance to say hi. Hi! atb

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Neil. Maybe I'll see you at AirVenture 2025! - Martin

[@armaanmathur]

Thanks for the video it helped me a lot as a student pilot specially about the radio calls which gave me idea and confidence.. my ppl check ride is in 7-8 days.. I’ll also be flying this route of FLL and MIA shores south bound in future, my home airport is Stuart so it gave me idea about the intensity of radio calls which is the only thing I worry about

[@martinpauly]

Glad you find these videos helpful, and I wish you good luck and success for your practical test! - Martin

[@armaanmathur]

@@martinpauly thank you so much

[@TomShinn-to6wy]

@@armaanmathurI’m also out of KSUA, passed my ppl checkride last Friday.

[@armaanmathur]

@@TomShinn-to6wy same buddy I also passed last Friday did you gave to Steve sir

[@TomShinn-to6wy]

@@armaanmathur​​⁠yes I passed with Steve that same morning, i was the reason he was late to give you a checkride 😂 small world how funny is that! 9BG was squaked the morning of my checkride and had to use a different plane, took the school forever to get us the maintenance logs and find a different plane. Steve was NOT happy.

[@d.porter3142]

10:43 Altimeter settings are in inches of mercury, not bar (unless you meant "bar" as short for "barometric").

[@martinpauly]

You found a typo. I wanted to say "Baro" - as you suspected, short for "barometric". - Martin

[@Stepclimb]

It’s interesting that the lateral and vertical modes that are driving the Flight Director are not displayed on the Aspen PFD. With this GFC-600, one must look at the autopilot control panel to see what is driving the Flight Director. Have you spoken with Aspen to see if the FD modes displayed on the Garmin can be displayed on the top section of the PFD, right above the bugged Airspeed and Altitude? I think I remember seeing the Aspen display these modes with the STEC digital autopilot…

[@martinpauly]

The Aspen has room for displaying the autopilot modes, but I was told Garmin didn’t like how that looked so they rely on the GI-285 annunciator instead. I have that annunciator right above my PFD; I just don’t usually show it in the videos. - Martin

[@Stepclimb]

@@martinpauly I understand now. I thought maybe since the GFC-600 was high and centered on the panel that you could eliminate the GI-285. I’ll have to look for the annunciator in your videos. Hopefully in the future Aspen and Garmin can come to a solution of displaying these modes where they make more sense above the Airspeed and Altitude. Anyway, your “new” panel is still pretty awesome!

[@AaronWbirdman]

Martin thank u for your videos like this- they are great learning tools- what app is on your EFB? It doesn’t look like FF and there is a circular icon that pops up now and then which I am unfamiliar with…

[@bubbaman12289]

I always get stressed flying over the glades since it’s literally all marsh but damn you can’t beat the views

[@LRobichauxIV]

Love your videos! Did it piss you off that you were initially cleared for the scenic coastline route, and then ATC immediately ripped it away from you? Descending you to 4k at GUCEL would have also pissed me off. Did you consider converting to VFR FF and flying the coastline?

[@brianolive1173]

Martin, I like your headset. Is that the Bose? I use the Bose A20. I have tinnitus so the noise canceling feature helps immensely but really would like the lighter one as it would be especially comfortable especially on longer flights. How well do you think its noise cancellation work compared something like what I use?

[@martinpauly]

Brian, please see here for info on the headset: martin.aero/wordpress/?page_id=321#faq-headset - Martin

[@andyjgreen]

Great tutorial video. When you’re flying a longer descent ; in this instance from 14k to 4k or thereabouts. Are you concerned about the CHT’S getting too low? As a new F33A owner (since June) when I nose down in a descent and just let the airspeed increase a bit (as I think you were doing) and heaven forbid if I reduce power too. My CHT’S can really fall (mid 200’s). Is that an issue if allowed to happen gradually? I suppose we do power checks at low CHT’S….. The low end of the Green band on the analogue CHT gauge is about 200, so i’m assuming a non issue if done gradually?

[@martinpauly]

Andy, CHTs in the mid 200s is no concern at all to me when I descend, or during cruise on a cold winter day - as long as the oil is warm enough. Regards, Martin

[@dandrewmd11]

Martin, Can you give an analysis of the FlySto app/program? I never heard of it until I saw it on this video and am very interested. Thanks Dan

[@MrBenkix]

An Iowa guy in Florida- living the dream!

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Martin, looks like the old gal treats you good. Always have to be prepared though. I thought you had Avidyne avionics look like you had three Aspen units as well.. You had a GTN 750xi Garmin. Did you re-upgrade your panel? What exactly do you have as far as all of your upgraded avionics package?

[@martinpauly]

Oh, where have you been? I documented this change in several videos about two years ago. You can start here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5bWiZ2LrJdjqNUsi=zNHRLZKONExBGXPO And: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5CbnZJ9jrOVhc0si=Sv6E35NMpqEhoulF - Martin

[@craig7083]

That tethered balloon has been hit before!

[@martinpauly]

I heard… but I don’t want to be the next one to hit it! 🤣 - Martin

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

Gut. Not much to say except that I might at times stay out with the sharks in considering the Alligators. The controller spoke Deutsche at 09:57, I think.

[@martinpauly]

I just listened to that again... I don't hear any German there, just an abbreviated (squeezed?) "Thank you" at the very end that was barely understandable. - Martin

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

@@martinpauly Ya!

[@padsliderfranco9561]

I like the aspens.

[@martinpauly]

As do I! Lots of valuable information on those three screens! - Martin

[@mikeryan6277]

You’re going to Key West with three empty seats and I’m sitting in my garage, doesn’t seem right.

[@martinpauly]

I didn't see any hitchhikers waiting by the taxiway in Melbourne... 🤣 - Martin

[@DominikNeumayr]

Is there a reason you did not use the VNAV function of the GFC600 when descending into GUCEL? I try to use it as much as i can

[@martinpauly]

Yes, the reason is that the VNAV autopilot mode does not work with the Aspen PFD - it requires a Garmin PFD. So I have to adjust the vertical speed based on the VSR (vertical speed required) data field on the GTN. - Martin

[@DominikNeumayr]

@@martinpauly ah ok makes sense! Interesting. Grüße aus Österreich, LOWZ

[@DanFrederiksen]

Why not a single display instead of 3 Aspens? and isn't it a little expensive to buy two GTN750s?

[@martinpauly]

3 Aspens is about the same dimensions as one large Garmin PFD. Both are excellent choices for instrument flying; what I like about the Aspen option is it gives me more information on the various configurable half-screens, and I have a reversion PFD as a backup always available. The Garmin option has the bigger navigation map, but I mostly use my top GTN and my iPad for that. As for the price… yup, flying isn’t cheap. But I do feel the two large GTN750Xi units add a lot of value to my cockpit, especially if one were ever to fail. - Martin

[@Hughes757]

I’m curious why you used vertical speed for the crossing restriction at GUCEL? Why not use VNAV?

[@martinpauly]

Because VNAV is unfortunately not supported in the Aspen/GFC600 combo. All other features work, just not VNAV. - Martin

[@CliffordStaley]

Did you buy or make your check list? If purchased where?

[@martinpauly]

See here for info on the checklist: www.martin.aero/wordpress/?page_id=321

[@CliffordStaley]

@@martinpauly thanks, have a similar airplane. I did notice you are setting rpm to 2500. What do you think of Mike Bush’s thoughts on high rpm?

[@CliffordStaley]

I finally got around to reading your word press. I worked in Dallas to for Rockwell Collins. I used to fly in the corp plane to Cedar Rapids. It was a nice king air if I recall. While up there they were working on star something, I think it was a canard and I’d sneak out of my meeting and go talk with the team. They even let me fly the sim. My division was eventually sold to Alcatel. I moved from Dallas in 99 and headed to florida. If you ever make it down to kpbi let me know. I’ll taxi you around and or you can use my extra car. Keep up the good work and thanks for the CL.

[@josbren8943]

Hi Martin. What were your fees at Signature? Thanks.

[@martinpauly]

Good question - I should have added that to the video. I just looked up the invoice from this flight... Ramp fee was $30 but waived with fuel purchase. Fuel was $9.73/gallon (ouch!), and parking was $37 a night. Regards, Martin

[@davidmangold1838]

Why so high? 15,000 feet?

[@josbren8943]

@@martinpauly thanks Martin!

[@Scott_Hauck]

As a low time private pilot that you for the radio calls.

[@relativenormality]

I did this trip from FXE without a lifejacket in a 182 at 8000 and it was also routed over the Everglades and not down the keys once airborne. I told myself there were lots of boats in the bay and if the sh!t hit the fan I would find a craft of some sort.....I was renting and lifejackets weren't easily rentable. Not my first choice to [ EDIT: "go" ] without though.

[@martinpauly]

I find that my risk tolerance has decreased as I have grown older. My first flight to Key West was without life jackets, 25 years ago... No way I would do that today! - Martin

[@brianb.2398]

Jet escort, niiiiice. :)

[@martinpauly]

Right! Usually you have to break a rule to get a jet escort! 🤣 - Martin

[@thomasjenkins6950]

Great video. I am based in SC, fly Fla a bunch. Never flown IFR down there without getting a re-route. I mean never. lol

[@martinpauly]

I can believe that, Thomas! - Martin

[@Eizman2]

Hey, als Simulator Pilot(habe leider Epilepsie) muss ich danke sagen. Nur bei Streamer/ KZbinr die unter realen Bedingungen fliegen, lernt man am besten. Danke dafür und Grüße aus Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, ich glaub ich muss Ihnen nicht sagen wo das ist.

[@martinpauly]

Freut mich, dass meine Flüge/Videos Dir Anregungen zum Simulatorfliegen geben. (Ich hoffe, unter Piloten können wir ‘Du’ sagen?) Liebe Grüße aus Florida! - Martin

[@padsliderfranco9561]

Not cool tower gives taxi instructions on rollout. This happens occasionally, but poor controller technique

[@angelmolina4484]

Nice flight, btw is totally unnecessary saying bonanza and the whole tail number every time you speak with to ATC, the only time you do that it’s on the first contact, after that you can say the last three letters or numbers of your tail number

[@jefanell1]

You _may_ abbreviate your call sign in response only if ATC (or tower) abbreviates it first. This isn’t automatic as you imply. Martin’s tail number is (obviously) only 4 characters, so remembering when it was abbreviated and when it wasn’t, I suspect, is more trouble than it’s worth. AIM 4-2-3

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

I didn't like it, you failed to pick me up at ANY .....LOL

[@martinpauly]

Sorry, but I didn't see any hitchhikers waiting by the taxiway in Melbourne... 🤣 - Martin