Overheard flying into Chicago (ORD): ORD Approach: "British Airways, can you be down to 4,000 feet by XXXXX?" [pause] British Airways 12345: "I suppose so -- but I don't think I can bring the aircraft with me." John Finley via e-mail More
Flying an Army OH58 in the early '80s, we determined that we would not have the fuel to make our planned destination. Passing Kessler Air Force Base, we called the tower for landing instructions. Kessler Tower: "Do you have PPR?" [PPR = "prior permission"] OH58 (not knowing what "PPR" stood for) : "No. [pause] All we have is a transponder and an ADF." Kessler Tower: "Clear to land." Mike Friel via e-mail More
I heard this while returning from Texas: Piper Pilot (with a thick southern drawl) : "Sahv, Centah, Ah believe Ah'm a-fixin' to cancel mah IFR flaght plannn." Center: "Are you just 'fixin' to,' or are you going to cancel it?" Piper Pilot: "Ah believe Ah'm a-goin' to cancel it about now." Center: "Roger. Squawk VFR." Ron Cizek Omaha, Nebraska More
Overheard flying into Chicago (ORD): ORD Approach: "British Airways, can you be down to 4,000 feet by XXXXX?" British Airways 1234: "I suppose so, but I don't think I can bring the aircraft with me." John Finley via e-mail More
During the late 1970s, a Royal Air Force "Belfast" strategic freighter approached on final to Chicago O'Hare. (What's a Belfast? Read on!) Callsign: "Ascot 1234." Ascot 1234: "Chicago tower, Ascot 1234." Chicago: "Ascot, say your aircraft type." Ascot 1234: "Ascot 1234 is a Belfast." Chicago: "Uhhh, what in heck's a Belfast, Ascot?" Ascot 1234: "It's a big 4-turboprop freighter — bit like a pretty C-132." Chicago: "O.K., Ascot, you're cleared to continue behind the landing 737. Do you have that visual?" Ascot 1234: "Ascot 1234, affirmative to continue." United 123: "Chicago Tower, this is United 123." Chicago: "United 123 Chicago, you're cleared to continue behind the landing Belfast." United 123: "The landing what ?" Chicago: "United 123, don't you know a Belfast when you see one?" Chicago (and United) could be forgiven for not knowing what in heck a Belfast was: Only 10 were ever built. But we (53 Squadron, Royal Air Force) flew them all round the world, and we loved 'em ... . Sean Maffett via e-mail More
ATC questioned a confused student pilot: Tower: "What are your intentions?" Student Pilot: "After this cross-country flight, take my check ride and get my private license." Ray Dash via e-mail More
And now for a slight departure from our usual "Short Final" hijinks: Many years ago, I heard a radio exchange that, for me, illustrated the great resources and the responsibilities we have as pilots. Climbing into the VFR corridor of the New York TCA, I heard this on the frequency: American 123: "Boston Center, American 123." Boston Center: "American 123, Boston." American 123: "Company has informed us they have a report of a possible bomb on board." Boston Center: "Roger, American 123. What are your intentions?" American 123: "We'd like to return to Boston." Boston Center: "Roger, cleared to Boston." And that was it! No routing, no questions, no altitudes. Later, they were given the winds and asked which runway they would prefer. I can only assume there was a great deal of activity on other frequencies to clear the sky for the jet. My point is we don't often dwell on the responsibilities of command when we take off with our families and friends — or of the great resources of the ATC which are available if we need them. All it takes is a few words, and, for some period of time, the world will revolve entirely around us. Being ready and able to play our part if the time comes is as important as any other flying skill, and for many of us, why we feel so good to call ourselves pilots. Roger Rowell via e-mail More
While I was waiting for departure clearance, a student pilot was departing on a parallel runway and was cleared to cross my intended departure flight path. Concerned of a possible collision, he was maintaining healthy climb. Tower: "Skycatcher 12345: While your climb performance is impressive, I would remind you that Class B Airspace starts at 3,000 feet." [A long silence followed.] Skycatcher 12345: "Skycatcher 12345 leveling out at 2,500 feet." Michael Landgraf via e-mail More
Departing IFR out of KTOA; handed off to Socal Departure after take-off. Cardinal: "Good morning, Socal Departure. Cardinal 177VA is climbing through 700 for 3,000." Departure: "Cardinal 177VA, Socal. Please ident, and be advised the tower said your gear was still down." Cardinal: "That's a good thing. This is a fixed-gear Cardinal!" Stephen Feldman via e-mail More
United 123: "Oakland Center, United 123. Do you have a ride report for FL350? We're trying to have lunch, and it's a little bumpy." Oakland Center: "United 123, stand by. Southwest 4567, how's your ride at FL350?" Southwest 4567: "Dunno. Haven't had lunch yet." "Fly-a-Lot" via e-mail More
Although AOPA’s Summit show in Fort Worth this week may mark the end of an era, it didn’t necessarily feel like that in the exhibit hall on Friday. Foot traffic was up and down throughout the show and vendors we're mulling their next moves for show attendance. More
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Brian Snider of Alliston, ON (Canada) went all the way to Croatia to bring back our latest blue ribbon photo.
