Aircraft Callsigns
This page lists some of the less-known aircraft callsigns that are routinely used within the New Zealand FIR. This is not an exhaustive list, listing only New Zealand specific military or virtual airline callsigns.
Civilian
| ICAO | RTF Designator | Operator | In Real-world Use? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADY | Academy | NZ ICPA | Yes |
| AHB | Hawke | Air Hawkes Bay | Unsure |
| AMD | Airmed | GCH | Yes |
| ANZ | Air New Zealand | Air New Zealand | Yes |
| ATT | Air to There | Air To There | No |
| AWK | Airwork | Airwork | Yes |
| CAC | Canterbury | Canterbury Aero Club | Unsure |
| CAP | Capital | Helilink | Yes |
| CFL | Careflight | Unsure | Unsure |
| CGD | Coast Guard | Coast Guard | Yes |
| CVA | Chatham | Air Chathams | Yes |
| FDC | Fly Doc | GCH Aviation | Yes |
| GBA | Barrier | Barrier Air | Yes |
| GBY | Golden Bay | Golden Bay Air | Yes |
| GIS | GISMED | Air Gisbourne | Yes |
| KRL | Regional | Kiwi Regional Airlines | No |
| LFT | Life Flight | Life Flight Rescue | Yes |
| MDK | Medicare | Air Whanganui | Yes |
| MDL | Medilift | Air Freight NZ | Unsure |
| MER | Merlin | Merlin Labs | Yes |
| MLD | Mainland | Mainland Air | Yes |
| MSY | Massey | Massey Aviation | Yes |
| NPR | Air Napier | Air Napier | Yes |
| NTL | National | Air National | No |
| NZM | Mount Cook | Mount Cook Airlines | No. Superceded by ANZ |
| OGN | Origin | Origin Air | Yes |
| PLB | Polyblue | Polynesian Blue | No |
| PLC | Police | NZ Police | Yes |
| QFA | Qantas | Qantas Airways | Yes |
| QNZ | Qantas Jetconnect | Jetconnect | No |
| RAA | Ridge Air | Ridge Air | Yes |
| RLK | Link | Air Nelson | No. Superceded by ANZ |
| SAV | Sunair | Sunair | Yes |
| SDA | Sounds Air | Sounds Air | Yes |
| SKL | Sky | SkyLine Aviation | Yes |
| TNZ | Texel Cargo | Texel Air | Yes |
| VAL | Vincent | Vincent Aviation | No |
| VOZ | Velocity | Virgin Australia | Yes |
| WPR | Westpac Rescue | Westpac Rescue | Yes |
| XFX | Aircorp | Airways Corporation | Yes |
Military
| ICAO | RTF Designator | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| BOE | Boeing | RNZAF |
| KIW | Kiwi | RNZAF |
| KRC | Kiwi Rescue | RNZAF |
| POS | Poseidon | RNZAF |
| ORI | Orion | RNZAF |
| HER | Hercules / Herc | RNZAF |
| CDT | Cadet | RNZAF |
| TEX | Texan | RNZAF |
| KAH | Kahu | RNZAF |
| FAL | Falcon | RNZAF |
| KNG | King | RNZAF |
| STG | Stirling | RNZAF |
| MAK | Mako | RNZAF |
| WRR | Warrior | RNZAF |
| SEA | Seasprite / Sprite | RNZAF |
| IRO | Iroquois | RNZAF |
| RCH | Reach | USAF |
| ICE | Ice | Various |
| ASY | Aussie | RAAF |
Super Wake Turbulence Category
Aircraft that fall within the J or 'Super' Wake Turbulence Category must have the RTF "Super" appended to the callsign in every transmission.
At present, only one aircraft falls within this category - the Airbus A380 (A388).
RTF Example for a Super Aircraft
Christchurch Approach: "Emirates 412 Super, continue descent via the STAR to 8,000 feet. Christchurch Information OSCAR is current."
UAE412: "Descend by the STAR to 8,000 feet. We have Information OSCAR. Emirates 412 Super."