Short Final...

Short Final…

Sunday, February 27, 2005

Key Takeaways:

At Oshkosh AirVenture, controllers typically instructed pilots to acknowledge by rocking their wings, a method unsuitable for helicopters.
A controller humorously realized this communication challenge with a Bell Helicopter and adapted the instruction.
The controller concluded the exchange by welcoming the helicopter and wittily remarking that it had "earned its wings today."

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Somtimes they’re a little busy…

Overheard inbound to EAA’s AirVenture, Oshkosh, 2003, where only the controllers on the ground speak and pilots respond by rocking their wings.

Controller: Bell Helicopter, Fisk Approach. If you read, rock your wings.

Controller: Right… OK, I guess you really don’t have any wings. Bell Helicopter, if you read, transmit.

Helicopter: I read you, Fisk.

Controller: Roger, enter left traffic for runway 36, welcome to Oshkosh … you’ve earned your wings today.