Most general aviation pilots use their aircraft registration (N number) as the call sign for air traffic control (ATC) communications and filing flight plans.

In 2026, most private pilots do not have a "personal" call sign like a military "Maverick" or "Iceman." Instead, their call sign is the aircraft’s registration number (often called the "N-number" in the U.S. or "C-number" in Canada). For example, if a Cessna 172 has the tail number N123AB, the pilot will address Air Traffic Control (ATC) as "Cessna One-Two-Three-Alpha-Bravo." However, there are exceptions. Some private owners or flight schools use a "telephony" designator if they have a fleet agreement with the FAA. Additionally, pilots flying for a specific charity or mission might use a special prefix, such as "Compassion" for medical flights. Some high-end private jet operators use "company" call signs, such as "Dot-Com" or "Flexjet." While a pilot might have a nickname among friends, in the eyes of the aviation authorities, the "call sign" is a strictly regulated identification of the machine, not the person, to ensure clarity and safety in crowded radio frequencies where misidentification can lead to catastrophic mid-air collisions.