Short Final

Due to firefighting activity, our small airport became a heli-base, and we had a temporary FAA tower. I briefed a recently soloed student who had never been out of the area or to a towered airport on procedures. Of course, one point was quickly forgotten and/or possibly overlooked. Cessna 123:“Scott Valley Tower, 123 requesting back taxi to runway 16 run-up area.” Tower:“123, you are cleared as requested.” As he was doing his run-up … Tower:“Cessna 123, hold short for landing traffic and read back ‘hold short’ instructions.” Cessna 123:[Of course he didn’t read back.] Tower:“123, hold short – landing traffic.” Cessna 123:[Again, no reply.] Tower:“123, acknowledge and read back ‘hold short’ instructions.” Cessna 123:[Still no reply.] Tower:“Cessna 123, do you read Scott Valley Tower?” Cessna 123:“Yes, sir, and I’m holding for you to read back instructions!” Kevin Martinvia e-mail

Due to firefighting activity, our small airport became a heli-base, and we had a temporary FAA tower. I briefed a recently soloed student who had never been out of the area or to a towered airport on procedures. Of course, one point was quickly forgotten and/or possibly overlooked.

Cessna 123:
"Scott Valley Tower, 123 requesting back taxi to runway 16 run-up area."

Tower:
"123, you are cleared as requested."

As he was doing his run-up ...

Tower:
"Cessna 123, hold short for landing traffic and read back 'hold short' instructions."

Cessna 123:
[Of course he didn't read back.]

Tower:
"123, hold short - landing traffic."

Cessna 123:
[Again, no reply.]

Tower:
"123, acknowledge and read back 'hold short' instructions."

Cessna 123:
[Still no reply.]

Tower:
"Cessna 123, do you read Scott Valley Tower?"

Cessna 123:
"Yes, sir, and I'm holding for you to read back instructions!"


Kevin Martin
via e-mail