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.
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.
The 757 became the only sub-300,000-pound (136,000 kg) airliner to be classified as a "heavy" jet, alongside wide-body aircraft, under FAA separation rules.
The name comes from an old logo of a bird, but whatever its origins, it is clearly the perfect call sign to evoke the speed and grace of an airliner cruising through the sky.
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. Passengers generally like to know this level of detail according to what they have told me.
We've all felt that sweet relief of finally landing back on firm ground after a bumpy flight. But if you've ever felt compelled to applaud the pilot for landing safely, think again. Pilots actually hate it when passengers clap.
Pilots with a fear of heights aren't uncommon and in fact, the majority of people who are afraid of heights aren't affected by flying in an aircraft. There is a strong feeling of security when you close the door, and you should feel very comfortable in the hands of an experienced instructor.
Bearing Range Altitude (Aspect. Measured in degrees and broadly categorized as "hot" aspect for an opponent coming straight on, "flank" for one heading roughly 30-45 degrees off, "beam" for 90's off, and cold for heading away in the same direction.).
Cactus – US Airways
The FAA suggested that America West come up with a new call sign. The company held an employee contest to come up with the new name. Cactus was chosen. America West was based in Phoenix, Arizona near the Sonoran Desert – home of the giant Saguaro cactus.
Affirm: Contrary to popular belief, pilots do not say “affirmative” when they mean yes – the correct term is affirm, pronounced “AY-firm.”
During the takeoff roll, the pilot monitoring the displays (PM) will call out the two important speeds: V1 and rotate. This indicates to the pilot flying the aircraft (PF) when they are beyond the safe stopping speed and when to rotate the aircraft into the air.
Aviators often speak “pilot English” to avoid miscommunications over radio transmission. “Tree” for instance, means three, “fife” is the number five and “niner” means nine, says Tom Zecha, a manager at AOPA. The variations stemmed from a desire to avoid confusion between similar-sounding numbers, he says.
According to the state-owned manufacturer, Antonov, the An-225 Mriya is capable of carrying ultra-heavy freights weighing 250,000 kilograms (550,000 lbs) internally, or 200,000 kilograms (440,000 lbs) on its upper fuselage, where the plane can fly as long as 70 meters (230 ft) long freight.
Another general naming practice: while more than one pilot can have the same call sign, it's rare to be renamed. "Unless you've really done something to highlight yourself after you've been given a call sign, typically it will stay the same," Papaioanu said.
The popularity of using call signs only increased during the Vietnam War, and by the 1980s, it became an institution. Today, getting a call sign is a rite of passage. Pilots and naval aviators do not get to pick their own call signs.
GREKI is a way point, an intersection of an airway that pilots use for navigation. KG Guest.
There is no clear origin story, though there are a few common scenarios for clapping: at the end of a particularly harrowing flight or long delay; in celebration of a return to one's homeland; or in continuation of a tradition that started who-knows-when-or-why.
“Water canon salutes are traditionally a sign of respect, honor and gratitude to mark the last flight for a veteran pilot on their last flight.
It was used by RAF fighter pilots in the Second World War to tell their controller they were about to engage enemy aircraft. It was also used to announce to the squadron leader (or other person of command in the flight) the spotting of an enemy aircraft.
A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.
Fox is a brevity code used by NATO pilots to signal the simulated or actual release of an air-to-air munition or other combat function.
In American aviation lore, the traditional removal of a new pilot's shirt tail is a sign of the instructor's new confidence in their student after successful completion of the first solo flight. In the days of tandem trainers, the student sat in the front seat, with the instructor behind.
There are in fact no specific limits for what is considered to be too tall or short to be a commercial pilot. We suspect that the misconception has evolved due to the strict restrictions applied in the air force.
There are no specific height restrictions for pilots under FAA rules. Flight schools and commercial airlines accept pilots for training as long as they are physically able to reach the controls and obtain a full rudder deflection in the aircraft they will operate.
Some pilots like to do only short haul, medium haul, or long haul. You cannot generally conclude that all pilots prefer any one of these. The Boeing 747-200/300 was the first to fly shorter sectors, as the Boeing 747-400 was more fuel efficient.