An aviator call sign or aviator callsign is a call sign given to a military pilot, flight officer, and even some enlisted aviators. The call sign is a specialized form of nickname that is used as a substitute for the aviator's given name.
Playmates - The pilots of other aircraft on the same mission as you.
Today, getting a call sign is a rite of passage. Pilots and naval aviators do not get to pick their own call signs. If they did, they would probably sound more like the X-Men or the American Gladiators going into combat than anything else. There would be a Royal Rumble over who gets to be "Maverick" or "Iceman."
There was Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Hollywood, Viper, Jester, Cougar, etc.
Navy pilots get their call signs through a process of selection and approval from within their squadron, which is then approved by their commanding officer. Once assigned, these call signs serve both as identifiers for those within the squadron and can become part of an aviator's legend.
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.
The most common form of communication in aviation, very high frequency (VHF) radio calls are what we use for around 95% of our communications with ATC. In simplified terms, the transmitting station sends a signal that travels in a straight line and is picked up by the receiving station.
A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually considered to be five or more.
They are briefed on the weather, coordinates, weapons and the close air support mission they are about to fly. “Bang 11, you are clear to step. Attack,” are the last words said before he heads out to the flight line where his A-10, commonly referred to as a Warthog, is patiently waiting.
A wingman (or wingmate) is the pilot of a secondary aircraft providing support or protection to a primary aircraft in a potentially dangerous situation, traditionally flying in formation to the side and slightly behind the primary craft.
Women pilots are called "aviatrices".
“Souls on board” — it is one of the most sobering phrases in aviation. Everyone from the veteran pilot and controller to the newbie passenger and casual observer understands the significance of the term intuitively. Yet its origin in aviation history is a mystery.
As with individuals in other industries, some pilots proclaim that they'll never date another pilot. Others, however, may prefer to date pilots because they believe that only another pilot can truly understand the lifestyle. “Really, it just seemed easier to date one,” noted F/O Jennifer Buraglia (Jazz Aviation).
One will take full responsibility for the flight and be referred to as the Captain. If both pilots are Command Course qualified, one pilot will take responsibility for the flight and will be referred to as 'Commander'.
“Let's kick the tires and light the fires” Famously uttered by Harry Connick Jr. in Independence Day, the military phrase signals that a plane is just about ready for takeoff, says Mark Baker, a commercial pilot of 35 years and current president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
In aviation, the first officer (FO), also called co-pilot, is a pilot in addition to the captain, who is the legal commander. In the event of incapacitation of the captain, the first officer will assume command of the aircraft.
Bandit – An enemy aircraft. This is a refinement of the general category of bogey. Bingo – A fuel state at which the aircraft should stop performing its mission, whether training or combat, and start returning to its base or heading for aerial refueling.
The term 'ace' is generally taken to mean any fighter pilot credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft. Lone aerial combat provided an outlet for acts of personal bravery. The aces were seen as chivalrous heroes engaged in honest and impressive one-to-one fighting.
In commercial aviation, the aircrew are called flight crew.
First Order TIE Fighter Pilots or First Order TIE pilots were skilled pilots who served the First Order, hunting down enemy vessels and protecting space around installations and warships in their advanced TIE/fo space superiority fighters.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into [city]. Please turn off all portable electronic devices and stow them until we have arrived at the gate. In preparation for landing in [city], be certain your seat back is straight up and your seat belt is fastened.
-The term “welcome aboard” is often said by the flight crew to greet passengers when they first board the aircraft. The captain may also say this at the end of the announcement such as “once again, welcome aboard.”
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.
The pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft is the person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the captain in a typical two- or three-pilot aircrew, or "pilot" if there is only one certificated and qualified pilot at the controls of an aircraft.
The famous call Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! is just about the only phrase that can be said on the radio to immediately cease all other conversations and ensure that the pilot making the call has a clear line of communication.