I’m sitting at KATL (06/23/2026 @ 11:33 am CT), waiting to taxi in an F-16, and the controller tells me I cannot taxi because I’m in a light aircraft. The F-16 is not a light aircraft. Please educate the controllers. Waiting to taxi.
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This same thing happened to me twice in the last 2 weeks, once in an A10 and once in a Cessna 208.
One of the controllers who denied me was a supervisor.
As per the ATC manual, these are the aircraft that are designated as light aircraft:
C172, SR22, XCub, PA28, Spitfire Mk VIII and P38
Direct message the controller and ask for clarification as to why
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Goes to show how some people don’t deserve to be an IFATC if they can’t even handle simple correct commands. Why even allow me to enter airspace AND allow entering base if you’re gonna force me to divert 5 minutes later. On top of that, I’m on final as well.
@Raven @darkeyes @shortyasian05 While you are correct and ATC made a mistake, this is also not the way this issues should be handled.The best is to message the controller privately and respectfully to ask for clarification. If I was controlling and saw you make a mistake as a pilot, I wouldn’t tag you on a public topic, I would message you privately so please let’s do the same when roles are reversed. If the controller’s answer is not enough, feel free to message me and I would be happy to help you further 
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I was closely deciding whether to take the violation and appeal, or just rant here. Yes, this really ticked me off since it happened to me and another approaching aircraft.
I know upholding standards and delivering quality service is an important aspect of IFATC, but this is no way to conduct yourself towards others on this forum. It’s a game and someone going out of their way to provide volunteer services to the community made a minor mistake. Lighten up, have some grace, and feel fortunate that the system exists at all. Go shell out the cash for real flying and you’ll quickly learn that controllers make mistakes in the real world too.
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Then you guys should really double check before passing an IFATC.
Beggars can’t be choosers dude. If you don’t like the service you’re getting, spawn somewhere else. Nobody here with any respect for themselves is going to be sympathetic to you if you’re going to throw spears. How many all time violations do you have?
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I’m on AP+ with a filed IFR flight. I don’t know what ATC tells an aircraft to divert on final. Not one, but two aircraft.
So to confirm, zero all time violations?
Nope, roughly 50, with 90% being over-speeding in flight when I go AFK. No major violations, which I’m sure you were hoping I would have. Jokes on you!
Cool, so you’re also capable of making mistakes. So is everyone else. So am I. Zero need to belittle anyone. I’m sure if you respectfully contact the controller you had a problem switch, they would be thankful for you helping them learn something new.
Clearly stated in the ATC handbook. Still no response from the ATC himself.
Geeze Louise people. What has gotten into y’all? So an ATC made a mistake. Big deal. Happens all the time. As it was pointed out, this is the worst way to go about fixing that mistake. In the future, DMs either with the controller or the IFATC moderators. No public callouts. And that’s that. No further need for discussion.
Let’s leave it here and go about our days! 
To provide some clarity:
- the Fighter airplane icon is currently bugged and it now displays as the light aircraft symbol.
- Secontly there are a number of User ISP bugs that inhibit us from sometimes seeing aircraft information. It simply says unknown/UNK.
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So, you should wait, isn’t that obvious. Not everyone replies the second you send them something
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Mmm yes, sent 5 hours ago, last online 1 hour ago.
You’ve been provided some insight and nothing further is necessary.
We’re cracking down on these hostile pilot/controller threads as they serve no productive purpose.
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