Definition
A crew coordination practice in which a pilot verbally announces specific flight parameters, system states, or actions during operations — such as airspeeds, altitudes, configuration changes, or instrument indications — so that all crew members share the same awareness and any deviation is caught early.
Plain English
Saying important information out loud at set moments during a flight so everyone in the cockpit hears it, notices it, and can act on it together.
Context Anchor
Used during automation management, especially when a pilot is using an autopilot, flight display, navigation system, or other cockpit system that can change how the aircraft is being controlled.
Derivation
From 'call out,' meaning to announce something aloud. The technique formalises the act of speaking specific items at specific moments rather than relying on silent monitoring.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents mode confusion and automation surprises by ensuring both pilots know the current system status at critical moments.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse this with making a radio call. A callout technique is usually cockpit communication: saying an important change out loud for awareness, whether flying alone with an instructor or as part of a crew.
Example Sentence 1
During the approach briefing, the captain reminded the first officer to use the standard callout technique for altitude deviations greater than 100 feet.
Example Sentence 2
Instructors teach the callout technique so the monitoring pilot can confirm automation changes without silent operation.