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Aircraft ID
ICAO type code cheat-sheet
5 min read🟢Beginner
ICAO type codes are 4-character identifiers that uniquely describe an aircraft type. Pilots, controllers and spotters all use them.
Common sights at EGPK
| Code | Type | Wake |
|---|---|---|
| B738 | Boeing 737-800 | M |
| B38M | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | M |
| A320 | Airbus A320ceo | M |
| A20N | Airbus A320neo | M |
| A321 | Airbus A321ceo | M |
| A21N | Airbus A321neo | M |
| B748 | Boeing 747-8 | J |
| B77L | Boeing 777F (freighter) | H |
| B77W | Boeing 777-300ER | H |
| B789 | Boeing 787-9 | H |
| A359 | Airbus A350-900 | H |
| C17 | Boeing C-17 Globemaster III | H |
| C5M | Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy | H |
| K35R | KC-135R Stratotanker | H |
| C130 | Lockheed C-130 | M |
Wake turbulence categories
Wake categories (Light, Medium, Heavy, Jumbo/A380) drive separation on approach — controllers keep extra space behind heavy aircraft because of the vortices they shed.
Tricks for telling lookalikes apart
- 737-800 vs MAX 8: MAX has split winglets (chevron) and distinctive chevron engine nacelles
- A320ceo vs neo: neo has sharklets (smooth curve) and larger engines. "ceo" = current engine option, "neo" = new engine option
- 777F vs 77W: freighter has no passenger windows