Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Houston Center playfully remarked on an aircraft's unusually long N-number (N1Q).
  • The pilot of N1Q agreed with the controller, confirming that the lengthy N-number was indeed difficult to remember.
  • The exchange was a brief, humorous interaction overheard in air traffic control communication.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Overheard this exchange in Houston Center the week before Halloween 2014:

Aircraft N1Q:
“Houston, N1Q. 390. Good evening.”

Houston Center:
“Good evening, N1Q. That sure is a long N-number you got there.”

Aircraft N1Q:
“Yes. And it’s hard to remember, too.”


Doug Fields

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE