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What is the difference between heavy and super callsign?

Originally Answered: What airplanes get the Heavy or Super callsign? “Heavy” is any plane with a maximum takeoff weight of 300,000 lbs or more, plus the Boeing 757. “Super” has no specific criteria, rather being assigned on a case-by-case basis, with the only two currently being the Airbus A380 and Antonov An-225.



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That doesn't mean it's ok to be in a skyhawk with “heavy” in your Callsign, but ATC won't bother you if you do. Yep SUPER is used exclusively for the A380, whilst HEAVY is for Wide-body Aircraft and the B757.

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Boeing aircraft like 747, 777 and 787, and Airbus birds like A300; A330; and A350 are classified into the heavy aircraft category with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 300,000 pounds. Hence, these large aircraft leave strong wake turbulence.

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Wake turbulence poses a major risk to other aircraft, so pilots and ATC use the term “heavy” in radio transmissions as a reminder that the aircraft's wake may be dangerous to others passing behind or below the flightpath of these larger-mass aircraft.

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Pan-Pan, short for “possible assistance needed,” is used to communicate an urgent, but not emergency, situation over VHF radio, in the case of aviation, to air traffic control. Examples could include a recreational pilot getting lost, or perhaps needing to climb to a higher altitude to sort a problem out.

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(In 1957, the English phonetic alphabet changed the R to Romeo, but by that time, Roger was deeply embedded in the minds of pilots.) So, in short, Roger means r which stands for received. The word Roger means nothing more.

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A Proper Takeoff Call First, let them know who you are, where you are, and then what you'd like to do. Try to give them as much information as possible so they can plan appropriately.

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Why do pilots tell you how high you are? Answer: It is normally part of the welcome aboard announcement as a matter of interest. We provide the time of the flight, the cruise altitude, landmarks of interest along way and the weather.

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Therefore, when pilots say the word rotate on takeoff, it serves as a clear reminder for them to carry out the rotation. The pilot needs to make sure that they lift the nose of the airplane off the ground at the precise time required for the plane to take off.

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The most well know of these is the code 7700. This is used to indicate an emergency of any kind. A pilot will enter this when in an emergency situation - either instructed by ATC after declaring an emergency or without communication if there is no time.

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Most pilots write their call sign down on a visible piece of paper when flying to help them remember it.

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