4/20/23 

AIM 

NOTE

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Civilian air ambulance aircraft operating VFR and without a filed flight plan are eligible for priority handling in accordance 

with subparagraph b1 above. 

5. 

ATC will also provide priority handling to HOSP and AIR EVAC flights when verbally requested. These 

aircraft may file “HOSP” or “AIR EVAC” in either Item 11 (Remarks) of the flight plan or Item 18 of an 

international flight plan. For aircraft identification in radio transmissions, civilian pilots will use normal call 

signs when filing “HOSP” and military pilots will use the “EVAC” call sign. 

c.  Student Pilots Radio Identification. 

1. 

The FAA desires to help student pilots in acquiring sufficient practical experience in the environment in 

which they will be required to operate. To receive additional assistance while operating in areas of concentrated 

air traffic, student pilots need only identify themselves as a student pilot during their initial call to an FAA radio 

facility. 

EXAMPLE

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Dayton tower, Fleetwing One Two Three Four, student pilot. 

2. 

This special identification will alert FAA ATC personnel and enable them to provide student pilots with 

such extra assistance and consideration as they may need. It is recommended that student pilots identify 

themselves as such, on initial contact with each clearance delivery prior to taxiing, ground control, tower, 

approach and departure control frequency, or FSS contact. 

4

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2

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5.  Description of Interchange or Leased Aircraft 

a. 

Controllers issue traffic information based on familiarity with airline equipment and color/markings. When 

an air carrier dispatches a flight using another company’s equipment and the pilot does not advise the terminal 

ATC facility, the possible confusion in aircraft identification can compromise safety. 

b. 

Pilots flying an “interchange” or “leased” aircraft not bearing the colors/markings of the company 

operating the aircraft should inform the terminal ATC facility on first contact the name of the operating company 

and trip number, followed by the company name as displayed on the aircraft, and aircraft type. 

EXAMPLE

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Air Cal Three Eleven, United (interchange/lease), Boeing Seven Two Seven. 

4

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2

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6.  Ground Station Call Signs 

Pilots, when calling a ground station, should begin with the name of the facility being called followed by the type 

of the facility being called as indicated in TBL 4

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2

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1. 

TBL 4

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2

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1 

Calling a Ground Station 

Facility 

Call Sign 

Airport UNICOM 

“Shannon UNICOM” 

FAA Flight Service Station 

“Chicago Radio” 

Airport Traffic Control Tower 

“Augusta Tower” 

Clearance Delivery Position (IFR)  “Dallas Clearance Delivery” 
Ground Control Position in Tower  “Miami Ground” 
Radar or Nonradar Approach 

Control Position 

“Oklahoma City Approach” 

Radar Departure Control Position 

“St. Louis Departure” 

FAA Air Route Traffic Control 

Center 

“Washington Center” 

Radio Communications Phraseology 

4

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2

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5