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Aviation Learning Center Document Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques - P-8740-47
Author: Federal Aviation Administration Date: revised April 2006
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Call Signs
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Aircraft Call Signs

Civil aircraft pilots should state the aircraft type, model or manufacturer's name followed by the digits/letters of the registration number. When the aircraft manufacturer's name or model is stated, the prefix "N" is dropped (e.g. Aztec Two Four Six Four Alpha).

It is very important to ensure use of correct call signs. Aircraft with similar call signs may be on the same frequency, and improper use of call signs can result in one pilot executing a clearance intended for another aircraft. To avoid this problem, never abbreviate your call sign on an initial contact, or at any time when other aircraft call signs you hear on the frequency have similar numbers/sounds or identical letters/numbers to those of your own aircraft (e.g., Cessna 6132F, Cessna 1622F, Baron 123F, Cherokee 7732F, etc.).

For example, assume that a controller issues an approach clearance to an aircraft at the bottom of a holding stack and an aircraft with a similar call sign (at the top of the stack) acknowledges the clearance with the last two or three numbers of his call sign. If the aircraft at the bottom of the stack did not hear the clearance and intervene, flight safety would be affected, and there would be no reason for either the controller or pilot to suspect that anything is wrong. This kind of "human factors" error can strike swiftly and is extremely difficult to rectify.

Pilots must therefore be certain that aircraft identification is complete and correct before taking action on an ATC clearance. ATC will not abbreviate call signs of an air carrier or other civil aircraft having authorized call signs. ATC may initiate abbreviated call signs of other aircraft by using the prefix and the last three digits/letters of the aircraft identification after two-way communications have been established. The pilot may use the abbreviated call sign in subsequent contact with ATC.

When aware of similar/identical call signs, ATC will take action to minimize errors by emphasizing certain numbers/letters, repeating the entire call sign, repeating the prefix, or by asking pilots to use a different call sign temporarily. If you have any doubt as to whether a control instruction is intended for you, do not hesitate to make sure. Use the phrase, "Verify clearance for (your call sign) " to request clarification.

Ground Station Call Signs

When calling a ground station, begin with the name of the facility being called, followed by the type of the facility being called. The correct terms are as follows:

used for alignment Ground Station Call Signs used for alignment
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used for alignment Airport Unicom  FSS  EFAS (Weather)  Control Tower  Clearance Delivery  Tower Ground Control  Approach Control  Departure Control  ARTCC (Center) used for alignment
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used for alignment Shannon Unicom  Chicago Radio  Seattle Flight Watch  Augusta Tower  Dallas Clearance  Miami Ground  Potomac Approach  Tampa Departure  Atlanta Center used for alignment
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Student Pilot Radio Identification

To help the student pilot acquire sufficient practical experience in the environment in which he or she will be required to operate, special procedures exist for student pilots who wish to receive additional assistance while operating in areas of concentrated air traffic. If you are a student pilot, you should identify yourself as such during the initial call to an FAA facility. For example:

"Dayton Tower, Fleetwing 1234, Student Pilot."

This special identification will alert ATC to provide the student pilot with any extra assistance and consideration needed. Though highly recommended, this procedure is not mandatory.

Air Ambulance Flights

Civilian air ambulance flights responding to medical emergencies (carrying patients, organ donors, organs, or other urgently needed lifesaving medical material) will be expedited by ATC when necessary. When expeditious handling is required, add the word "Lifeguard" in the remarks of the flight plan. In radio communication, these flights use the call sign "Lifeguard" followed by the aircraft type and registration letters/numbers. When requested by the pilot, ATC provides necessary notification to expedite ground handling of patients; when possible, however, this information should be passed in advance through non-ATC communications systems.

Extreme discretion is necessary in using the term "Lifeguard." It is intended only for those missions of an urgent medical nature and for use only for that portion of the flight requiring expedited handling. Similar provisions have been made for the use of "Air Evac" and "Med Evac" by military air ambulance flights, except that these military flights will receive priority handling only when specifically requested.

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