Short Final

Last week, my wife and I heard this radio exchange while flying across Texas: … San Angelo Approach: “Cardinal XXX, you got time for a quick question?” … Cardinal XXX: “Sure.” … SJT Approach (in a deep Texas drawl): “Is there somethin’ special about your flight today? Special cargo or something?” … Cardinal XXX: “Nope.” … San Angelo Approach: “They just have you on a beacon code that’s usually reserved for unusual stuff.” … Cardinal XXX: “Well, that’s the only code my transponder’ll squawk, so they let me have it.” … Anonymous Aircraft: “Nice.” … Cardinal XXX: “Well, I tried hittin’ it with a hammer but -” … SJT: [Amused laughter while trying to think of something else to say.] … We laughed all the way to San Antonio.