Short Final: Magic Words

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A tired pilot, instructed to "call the field" near a Class C airport, humorously responded "Field in sight, I can cancel anytime" instead of the usual cancellation.
  • ATC played along, prompting the pilot to say the "magic words" for cancellation.
  • The interaction concluded with the pilot humorously responding "Abracadabra" before ATC issued the final VFR squawk instruction.
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I was flying home late one night into my home base which is a non-towered airport near a Class C airport. Approach asked me to “call the field” when I had it in sight. It was the end of a long day and I didn’t respond with a cancellation as usual. Instead I replied, “Field in sight, I can cancel anytime.”

ATC: “I need to hear the magic words.”

Me: “Abracadabra?”

ATC: “N1234, Sqwuawk VFR. Good Night.”

Shane DeWeese

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