Is it true pilots are given a callsign they cannot pick thier own?

Answer 1

Unless something else is worked out, they use the airplane model, and then the registration number of the airplane. In the US, this will start with N and have up to 5 numbers and letters behind it. Cessna N5177U for example. (typically the N is dropped and just assumed, at least in the US.) Other countries have different letters starting their "tail" numbers. USA=N, Mexico=X, Canada=C, etc.

In order to use anything else, you have to have some sort of arrangement with air traffic control. Airlines have arranged to use some company callsign followed by the flight number. "Continental 42" and so on. Military flights use some seemingly arbitrary callsign like "Spook," "Raider," whatever, followed by a number. So a flight of 2 going by "Raider" would be "Raider 1" and "Raider 2."

That's the big picture anyway, there are a zillion other "ifs" in there, but you get the idea.

Answer 2

Navy pilots are giving their callsign by their fellow aviators, usually after a long list has been of names has been written up. But callsigns change after awhile. Usually after the pilot in question does something out of the ordinary or screws something up, that will earn him that new callsign.

Answer 3

Depends:
Military pilots's callsigns are usually nicknames given to them by their buddies.
Commercial pilots are generally given callsigns that are their flight number.

Answer 4

Depending on where you are. In the RAAF you are given a number (eg. 69). Every aircraft type has a callsign. (eg. Wombat). Then if that pilot flies that aircraft the callsign becomes "Wombat69".

Answer 5

callsigns must be assigned otherwise every pilot would be "killer" "ace" etc. since they are sandy or magic it obvious the callsigns are stated for each individual mission:) sure pilots do have nicks, but these nicknames have nothing in common with their callsigns, unlike the "top gun" movie. seen black hawk down, after all?

Answer 6

Also, not all airlines use their name as their callsign.

Example--AirTran uses Citrus, PSA uses BlueStreak, ASA uses Acey, Mesa use AirShuttle, America West uses Cactus.

Answer 7

That was a Navy thing when I was in the Air Force. The USAF assigned call signs for each flight and they were mostly different for each mission.

Answer 8

all non-military aircrafts callsign has to begin with N