April 20, 2008 Short Final

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Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

I was en route to a New England airport famous for its fog. The ATIS reported below minimums but gradual ix, improving. Approach said to expect the ILS, and I could hear one aircraft ahead, a local airliner. Approach cleared me for the approach and sent the other aircraft to tower.

Me:
"Did the aircraft ahead get in?"

Approach:
"Well, he didn't fly the missed. Contact tower."

Me:
"Tower, at what altitude did the previous plane break out?"

[pause]

Tower:
"I didn't ask."

Me (after landing a little proudly):
"Tower, be advised that we broke out just above minimums."

Tower:
"Everybody does."

John Ward
via e-mail