# Pilots: 'Wilco' **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538 "2012-02-11T18:40:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/1 "2012-02-11T18:40:47Z")
When I learned to fly, I never heard anyone say ‘Wilco’ on the radio. And by never, I mean sometimes. But very, very rarely. At the time it seemed too… I don’t know… Dated? Poseur-ish? Like something you’d hear in a film from the '30s through the '50s. Last Autumn I began to get back into the saddle, as it were. (Lack of sufficient expendable funds and poor weather, plus a remarkable lack of time have put that on hold temporarily.) I’m hearing ‘Wilco’ more, and even used it myself once. Things have changed since I was actively flying. Back in the day, ‘Roger’ was sufficient. Now it’s ‘Cessna 3-0-5-1-Echo, cleared Foxtrot, Alpha, Golf [no, really] to three-four,’ and ‘Cessna 3-0-5-1-Echo wilco left three-sixty.’ Is ‘wilco’ being used more now than it was 25 years ago? ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/2 "2012-02-11T18:54:05Z")
10-4. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_the_turtle/32/2926_2.png) [@Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_the_Turtle)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/3 "2012-02-11T19:28:53Z")
I’m not hearing it (military, flight test environment). Just “Roger” and repeating relevant info. “Jester 1 cleared to Runway Two Four” “Roger. Jester 1 Two Four” ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/4 "2012-02-11T20:26:45Z")
‘Roger" - transmision acknowledged “over” - Im’ done talking - waiting for response “out” - I’m done talking - no response expected - coversation done. “wilco” - “Will Comply with instructions” - Simster, former Radio Op for the USAF. eta - I see that this is on wikipedia - [Radiotelephony procedure - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_procedure) ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/5 "2012-02-11T20:57:13Z")
And then you have Super Chicken’s sidekick Fred and his “Roger Wilcox”. ([Right around 1:40 or so](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsa2BKHfMEg&feature=related)) ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/6 "2012-02-11T21:18:01Z")
My son plays all sorts of games online. He uses a microphone and speaks with other gamers around the world. I couldn’t name one game, but they are war games and most include “flying.” I hear him say it often. I asked him the other day why he uses it. He said that it’s because it is a word that cannot be easily mistaken as something else over the radio and it’s being used again. When I asked him later to take out the garbage and recycling he said, “Wilco.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/7 "2012-02-11T22:02:02Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Is ‘wilco’ being used more now than it was 25 years ago? Only if they are trying to break your heart. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/8 "2012-02-11T22:06:36Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > And then you have Super Chicken’s sidekick Fred and his “Roger Wilcox”. ([Right around 1:40 or so](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsa2BKHfMEg&feature=related)) And that’s another thing. ‘Wilco’ always makes me think, ‘Roger Wilcox!’ ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/9 "2012-02-12T01:15:24Z")
I admit I use it. I think I picked it up from my primary and instrument instructor who was an old Navy pilot.\* Wilco is easy to say and carries more meaning than Roger. As for your “no really” comment the FAA has been adding requirements and “strong suggestions” for reading back taxi instructions in the wake of a few incidents which is probably why you don’t just hear “Roger” nearly as much after a taxi clearance. - He also said “Tally Ho” instead of “Traffic in sight” but I don’t use that one. I think you should have actually flown a biplane in combat before you try to pull off “Tally Ho!” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/10 "2012-02-12T01:24:55Z")
> [@Pixel\_Dent](#): > > As for your “no really” comment… You have to spell it out. 😉 > [@Pixel\_Dent](#): > > - He also said “Tally Ho” instead of “Traffic in sight” but I don’t use that one. When I started flying in the mid-'80s until I went on hiatus a decade ago, ‘Tally ho’ or ‘Tally ho on the traffic’ was fairly common – though ‘Traffic in sight’ was more common. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/11 "2012-02-12T02:05:29Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > And that’s another thing. ‘Wilco’ always makes me think, ‘Roger Wilcox!’ I get strange looks from saying that. I think Super Chicken is nearly forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/12 "2012-02-12T02:13:12Z")
It could be that the hugely successful band Wilco has brought the term back into public usage, even if it’s referring to a different thing. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/13 "2012-02-12T08:12:05Z")
As an ex air traffic controller, I never used or heard ‘wilco’ but it’s been a few years since I’ve had any ‘mike’ time. One of my favorite pilot acknowledgments after receiving ‘traffic’ reports of other aircraft in their vicinity was, “I’m Popeye.” meaning they’re in the clouds, can’t see, etc. I have no idea it the phrase is still used. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/14 "2012-02-12T08:44:32Z")
I’ve mostly heard roger. Within the bird itself I usually said “rog” because I’m lazy. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/15 "2012-02-12T19:05:25Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I’ve mostly heard roger. > > Within the bird itself I usually said “rog” because I’m lazy. I’ve been admonished (by an instructor) for saying ‘Roger’ (‘I heard what you said.’) instead of repeating an instruction. Ground ‘reminded’ me once to indicate the runway I was headed to (even though I repeated the directions to it). There seems to be more focus on procedures now. > [@TriPolar](#): > > I get strange looks from saying that. I think Super Chicken is nearly forgotten. Sad, that. ‘“Quick, Super Chicken! Use your super vision!” “Fred, if I had any supervision we wouldn’t _be_ in this predicament!”’ ‘Isle of Lucy’ ‘Roger Wilcox!’ Kids today! They don’t appreciate crudely-drawn cartoons and bad puns! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/16 "2012-02-12T19:42:20Z")
> [@Pixel\_Dent](#): > > As for your “no really” comment the FAA has been adding requirements and “strong suggestions” for reading back taxi instructions in the wake of a few incidents which is probably why you don’t just hear “Roger” nearly as much after a taxi clearance. They aren’t strong suggestions, they’re \*requirements \*now. You WILL read back your taxi clearance (but can abbreviate), including tail number, or you WILL get informed of your error. The pattern extends to other ATC instructions even if not required - if you just Roger an instruction, particularly a lengthy one, you will appear not to have fully understood it, and that may in fact be the case. > [@](#): > > He also said “Tally Ho” instead of “Traffic in sight” but I don’t use that one. Good. Yes, that’s a Navy term, but it sounds (fill in your favorite derogatory adjective). The proper responses to a traffic alert (consult your AIM if you must) are “Negative contact” and “In sight”. > [@Dereknocue67](#): > > As an ex air traffic controller, I never used or heard ‘wilco’ but it’s been a few years since I’ve had any ‘mike’ time. I’ve never heard it either - it just isn’t enough anymore anyway. > [@](#): > > One of my favorite pilot acknowledgments after receiving ‘traffic’ reports of other aircraft in their vicinity was, “I’m Popeye.” meaning they’re in the clouds, can’t see, etc. I have no idea it the phrase is still used. Never heard that either, but wouldn’t the proper response by the controller be “Maintain VFR”? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/17 "2012-02-12T23:11:26Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > They aren’t strong suggestions, they’re \*requirements \*now. You WILL read back your taxi clearance (but can abbreviate), including tail number, or you WILL get informed of your error. > > The pattern extends to other ATC instructions even if not required - if you just Roger an instruction, particularly a lengthy one, you will appear not to have fully understood it, and that may in fact be the case. > > Good. Yes, that’s a Navy term, but it sounds (fill in your favorite derogatory adjective). The proper responses to a traffic alert (consult your AIM if you must) are “Negative contact” and “In sight”. > > I’ve never heard it either - it just isn’t enough anymore anyway. > > Never heard that either, but wouldn’t the proper response by the controller be “Maintain VFR”? 😃 On an IFR flight plan? :eek: ( Yes they still give traffic when there is time and the conditions are only marginal IFR or not IFR at all or don’t know your actual conditions at that time. ) Quite often I would acknowledge with “Roger, IMC at this time.” so I would be helping him know what was going on in my area and let him know that I might need more info if he has it or he might want to go get more info for safety sake or to cover his ass if it went sideways… If the target was showing a climb, close to me and he was not talking to him and the fact that I was IMC, meant things could get pear shaped real fast and he might turn me just in case. I have used "Tally Ho !! " many times especially when in my home area where I was well know. It is fun. Too bad now days you can’t add the normal, “Going hot.” just to mess with your traffic. Early morning departures of our pipeline patrol squadron used to be a hoot. Tower would let us do formation takeoffs. Departure control would give us ‘bogie’ reports, comment on over take speed, to look high or low, all kinds of fun was had. Alas , those day are gone now. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/18 "2012-02-13T00:55:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > And that’s another thing. ‘Wilco’ always makes me think, ‘Roger Wilcox!’ Plus, “Oscar Brand and the Roger Wilco Four”. Or Roger Wilco, Space Janitor. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/19 "2012-02-13T01:05:39Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Plus, “Oscar Brand and the Roger Wilco Four”. In my iTunes, of course. (Mostly I listen to _The Wild Blue Yonder_, since I’m into the flying.) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538/20 "2012-02-13T04:13:45Z")
well for starters, saying Wilco instead of reading back instructions is flat wrong. Using it in place of Whiskey is baffling. Oh and I got my noise cancelling headset fixed. Yay me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-wilco/612538.md?page=2)