While flying a Beech 18 in the late 1960s, my instructor requested take-off clearance in an unusual way: XXX Tower: "Twin Beech N1234 ready to accelerate on runway heading to generate sufficient lift to overcome the effects of gravity." Without skipping a beat, the tower retorted: "Twin Beech N1234, you are cleared to accelerate on runway heading to generate sufficient lift to overcome the effects of gravity." Patrick Tallon via e-mail More
I heard the following a few days ago over eastern Kentucky: Flagship 123: "Indy Center, Flagship 123 climbing through 12,000." Indy Center: "Flagship 123, roger. What was your assigned heading?" Flagship 123: "370." Indy Center: "370?!" Flagship 123: "370." Indy Center: "O.K. Continue present heading." Dennis Mahan via e-mail More
This gave me a little chuckle because it rhymed so well. The pilot knew too, as he said it with pauses: Line up and wait... Runway 28... Cirrus 188 Shawn Byers via e-mail More
I was flying just northeast of Dallas on Monday, April 22. This was the first day of sequester-induced cutbacks of controllers. Fort Worth Center: "King Air 12345, cleared direct FINGR for the FINGR3 arrival." King Air 12345: "Cleared direct FINGR." Fort Worth Center: "They told us not to give any shortcuts today, but I don't see any way to do it except to give you the finger." I was laughing too hard to hear the King Air's reply. Steve Beckerdite via e-mail More
I had a buyer from Argentina for my unfinished home built aircraft. For tax purposes, the Argentine government required the aircraft not be registered by the FAA. I sent a letter to the FAA requesting a letter stating that the aircraft had not been registered. The FAA's reply: "Your request for the FAA to notify Argentina cannot be accomplished as the aircraft has never been registered." via e-mail More
Maybe this is only funny to those of us who live here, but here it is anyway. The other day, I was buzzing around over the east side of Wichita when I heard this: Wichita Approach: "Bizjet 123, maintain 3,500. Departing traffic from Jabara and Beech Field." Bizjet 123: "3,500 for 123. You guys sure have a lot of airports around here!" Wichita Approach: "Well, Wichita is known as the Air Capitol." Bizjet 123: "Really? I didn't realize that!" My Co-Pilot: facepalm John "Dizzy" Phunt via e-mail More
FABC: "Tower, be advised there were several large birds on approach to runway 32." YKF Tower (spotting birds through binoculars) : "Roger. XYZ, look out for multiple birds of prey on approach." FXYZ: "Klingons in sight, XYZ." Michael Schuster via e-mail More
A ground controller told me, after I cleared the runway at JFK, to proceed to the gate and then "stay with me." I said, "Sure. Just give me your address." The silence was deafening. John Lewis via e-mail More
In the hangar all day listening to our radio, I heard several pilots ask our tower if they were closing. This was the best exchange: N12345: "Are you guys done for?" Tower: "Who do you mean — me or the tower?" N1234U: "Both." Tower: "I'm done at noon, but the tower is going to be around for a long time." Scott Peterson via e-mail More
I don't remember the exact date, but I overheard this conversation with ATC about 35 years ago. Those were the days when we had the old surplus DGs and transponders were not required near busy terminals. Weather was clear, but a cloud layer had formed over the airport and trapped some students on top. Lost Pilot: "Tower, this is Cessna 123, and I am lost." ATC: "Roger. Can you tell me your last known position?" Lost Pilot: "Yes. I was just west of Ft. Lauderdale, but I can longer see the ground." ATC: "Do you have a transponder?" Lost Pilot: "No." ATC: "O.K. Turn to a heading of 360." Lost Pilot: "I don't have that number!" ATC: "What does your heading indicator say?" Lost Pilot: "It says E ." ATC: "O.K. Turn to N ." Lost Pilot: "O.K." ATC: "Roger. Now turn to W ." Lost Pilot: "O.K." ATC: "Roger. Radar-identified, and now we will steer you to a VFR airport so you can land." Lost Pilot: "Thank you!" Cal W. Tax via e-mail More
And it may take more than a Disney movie to inspire them. More
Our latest winning photo comes from Richard Depinay of Keller, TX.
