What are pilot nicknames called?

The call sign is a specialized form of nickname that is used as a substitute for the aviator's given name. It is used on flight suit and flight jacket name tags, painted/displayed beneath the officer's or enlisted aircrewman's name on aircraft fuselages or canopy rails, and in radio conversations.



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According to the United States Department of Defense (DoD), pilot nicknames and callsigns are used so that personnel can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and to confuse the enemy, who might be listening in on communications. Aircraft and pilot callsigns are two separate things.

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Indeed, even commercial airlines use unique call signs to identify themselves whilst flying, but these are generic to the airline and not the individual pilot. These call signs can range from serious and professional to humorous and playful, depending on the pilot and their organisation's culture.

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General Aviation Callsigns General aviation call signs are spoken by each individual letter and number using the ICAO phonetic alphabet. Aircraft registration numbers internationally follow the pattern of a country prefix, followed by a unique identifier made up of letters and numbers.

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Women pilots were also formerly called aviatrices (singular aviatrix). Women have been flying powered aircraft since 1908; prior to 1970, however, most were restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry.

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) handbook, the correct ATC communication is to say People On Board. Despite this, ATC controllers continue to use the term Souls when communicating with aircraft.

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Pilots Have Their Own Secret Language. Here's What They're Really Saying
  • “Let's kick the tires and light the fires” ...
  • “Feet wet” ...
  • “We've got a deadhead crew flying to Chicago” ...
  • “There's a pilot in the jumpseat” ...
  • “It's 17:00 Zulu time” ...
  • “George is flying the plane now” ...
  • “We're flying through an air pocket”


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What do pilots say right before takeoff? These can vary, but in general, the announcements are relatively standard across different airlines. Most pilots will typically introduce themselves and the cabin crew; state the aircraft type, flight number, and route, and remind passengers of the airline's seatbelt policy.

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