Short Final: Unkind Words?

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, November 05, 2024 at 06:41 PM ET

Verified

Credit: Jack Fleetwood via Plane & Pilot Magazine

Key Takeaways:

Air Traffic Control (ATC) humorously instructed a Skyhawk pilot to maintain altitude, explaining they couldn't climb due to a faster Bonanza approaching from behind and the Skyhawk being "just not fast enough."
The ATC's direct and blunt communication about the aircraft's speed difference occurred while flying through Houston's Class Bravo airspace.
The Skyhawk pilot responded with good humor, playfully acknowledging the ATC's frank assessment of their aircraft's performance.

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From IFR Magazine reader Jay Olmstead:

I heard the following flying through Houston’s Class Bravo:

Houston Approach: “Skyhawk 1234A, maintain 4,500. I was going to climb you but there’s a Bonanza coming up from behind and you’re just not fast enough.”

Skyhawk 1234A (laughing): “Well – that’s not very nice!”