Pilot Callsigns

The Three Rules of Callsigns

1. If you don't already have one, you will be assigned one by your "buddies".
2. You probably won't like it.
3. If you complain and moan too much about 1. and 2., you'll get a new nickname you'll like even less!

So, how do you get a callsign?

Do something stupid or have it fit with your last name. Obvious examples, 'Crash' or LT 'Cheese' Kraft. Sometimes it's based on a physical appearance thing like 'Carrot'. After you've earned the respect of your buddies, you'll get a more 'heroic' callsign.

Add your callsign to the list

Most recent additions

Hi-Ho

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Last name Silva.

Colbalt

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

When i was 14 i had cancer in my leg. the doctors replaced my left tibia and knee with a colbalt and titanium replacement. I told my buddy in the squad and the next day he says "morning, Colbalt" and it stuck

Dong

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Last name Tucker 'nuff said

Circle K

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

One lone night at a Cricle K store was a little drunk....too much....sat down outside and refused to leave wanting to sleep it off....our Safety Officer said put him in my white Dodger....which they did....except it was the wrong white dodger.....the young lady that owned it was kind enough to take me home and let me sleep it off (I was a gentleman with her.) The next day she drove me back to the base. We dated for a while till I changed duty stations.

Ned

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

On a first TDY to Warner Robins ALC GA, the Lt Col got lost, was late to first meeting with the F-15 Colonel. Told story of why the Lt Col was late: wrong turn at the We Bare All neon sign on I-75 south, lost in the dark woods, took him all night to get the locals to turn him loose. Colonel awards call sign Ned for being late...after Ned Beatty in Deliverance...southern locals were a bit too friendly, so goes the tale.

Skippy

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

I was in the F-16 sim, and I came in for my landing. Well, apparently I was a little rough as I bounced a bit and went into the dirt, and the first words out of Tractor's mouth were, "Come on, Skippy!" He then gave me the option for that or SUV, and Skippy stuck.

Tummy and Stix

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

The next 2 midshipmen that arrive at our squadron will be named Tummy and Stix. They will be made to always walk in order, stand in order, and introduce themselves in order. We will open every meeting appropriately addressing all VIPs: "Skipper, XO, Tummy, Stix". Tummystix.

FuFa

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Pronounce "Foo-Fah". Was originally given a less than flattering callsign that he did not like, and tried to change it himself. A few weeks later a callsign review board was held, and he got so angry that he stood up and exclaimed "I don't care what you guys call me, it could be Fu*k Face for all I care!" OK, Fu*k Face it is.

PANDA

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Polish American NFO, Drinks Alot. Also similar to a Panda in paw size and ability to only mate once a year.

Cooper

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Carpet Pooper. He pooped on a carpet.

Audrey

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

I was the Superintendent of the F-15 Alert at Osan AB, SKorea. One of the Rodan pilots, and fellow Macintosh enthusiast, was a Captain Meadows. Hence, Audrey.

FANG

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

F**k, Another New Guy...not a bad call sign actually, until I was told what it stood for :)

Lemon-Cherry

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Lt. Rebecca B. had lemony hair and red cheeks.

P.E.

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Premature Ejection - Pressed the ejection switch in an aircraft while still on the runway.

Gameshow

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Before becoming a demonstration pilot in the T-6A, I spent two years as the team's airshow narrator. In trying to keep up with the other "colorful" narrators out there, I really played up the speaking and was told by my crew chiefs that "if the flying gig doesn't work out for you, you'll always be ready to work as a gameshow host". The other pilots heard it, and there it stuck. Even though my last name is Rambo, I still ended up with Gameshow.

Bobbit

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

CF-18 pilot got this callsign after having the IFR hose wrap around the probe on his CF-18. While sitting there wondering what to do, the hose tightened and sheared the tip of the probe off the jet - kinda what Lorraina Bobbit did to her husband!

Big Bird

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Last Name: Crow - Also a pretty heft guy

Shadez

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Always Wearing A Pair Of Glasses, Mostly Aviators(For Obvious Reasons).

Double Tap

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Always had an itchy trigger finger

Casper

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Stuck because my wife sent a Casper the Ghost sticker on a piece of mail! Was known as Casper since a kid in Massachusetts.

Hacker

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Clipped a lamp post when I was taxiing for take off for night navigation

Slinger

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Airdropped 1.9NM from target without ever seeing the Point of Impact!

Yak

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

On our way for a TDY to Turkey for ONW in 98, we had a ride in a KC-135, my first ride in a tanker. Everybody noticed that I looked queezy, and even though I never yakked, my nickname was officially "Yak" for my entire Air Force career. Good times, good people, and good memories.

Pugsley

 (added: 4 Aug 2010)

Last name Adams; my wife called me by my pet name at a squadron picnic and the C/O overheard it.

Kaboose

 (added: 3 May 2010)

Allways the last guy in the line up