Call signs—different for each aircraft?

[Jeff N]

I use a different tail number for each plane I fly as well. I'll usually geek out and use a real world N number for a plane registered in the PE area - for instance, my C172SP is N298CA based out of KSQL, my Mooney is N201EP based out of KSBA. I've since geeked out even further and started replicating their paint schemes. Photoshop is like therapy for me...

I've made the mistake of using the default tail number for various payware planes and getting used to it, then having to change it when someone else on the network is already using that number. Doesn't happen with the R/W numbers I use now.

[Calvin Waterbury]

1. do pilots usually assign a different call sign for each aircraft they fly?
(seems better for separating flights on PEaware if not in your own head, the downside is having it roll off the tongue easily from constant use)
I have encouraged my family to use different call signs as a way of not becoming complacent in their methodology as students.

2. do pilots use the same one for the same aircraft every time they fly it? (seems like the best idea)
Pursuant to the above, I use and encourage my family to keep the same call sign for each individual aircraft they fly. Every aircraft in the real world has their unique moniker, so we reflect the RW accordingly, i.e., if one flys the same aircraft, one uses the same call sign, but if one flys a different aircraft, then another call sign is appropriate. Further, since a lot of our flying was done on FSEconomy we got used to using the call signs for each particular aircraft, regardless of the pilot doing the flying. Again, this reflects real life. When flying for an airline, I also use the call sign according to VA guidelines.

3. where to pilots get these numbers (I've gotten mine from actual planes I used to fly, but I have a lot more aircraft in my X-Plane hanger)?
We try to make everything we do in our family something that has purpose and is of lasting value. As a result, each call sign(s) we use reflects some event, e.g., I was born in 1958. One aircraft I fly is "N58ME." There are no hard and fast rules, but this is our general scheme.

4. have there ever been instances of two pilots having the same call sign?
I have never seen this.

Thanks, Brad. These are good questions.

[Daddy O]

Lotsa cases of close names. When we do demos for the colleges my tail number for by B200 is N6759M, and the demo craft is something-something-Mike, and another pilot has a similar handle, so sometimes the ATC has to make sure and seperate our commands carefully.

Like I said, I have a mental app, a personal process, that makes me check the call sign regardless of the plane I am in, just to be sure before I click that radio.