of course - we all play the flute!!!
I'm english, so I was always always told it was "flautist" and that "flutist" was wrong, but I never believed it.
I think flutist makes much more sense, but talking in a conversation i would probably always say "flautist", just because it's been drummed into me that way.
But to be honest, how many times would you ever actually say either of them?! I can't actually ever remember saying "I am a flautist" - you would always just say "I play the flute" or "she plays the flute".
Language is a funny thing......

And remember folks.....
!!! MUSIC MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND !!!