Short Final

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 11, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A flight instructor monopolized a busy air traffic control frequency by detailing multiple practice approach requests and missed approach procedures.
The annoyed air traffic controller interrupted the instructor, telling them to "call back later" for practice approaches.
When asked "How much later?", the controller sarcastically suggested 9:30 PM, highlighting the instructor's poor timing and radio etiquette.

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I was flying through New York’s air space one typical busy Friday afternoon. The controller on 124.07 was shotgunning instructions out to a dozen or more airplanes when a flight instructor grabbed the frequency and started requesting multiple practice approaches into Danbury (CT), thoroughly describing each missed approach and the path to the next approach. He had the frequency for about 20 seconds. I guess he figured he’d better get it all in while he could. The controller came back, obviously annoyed.

NY Approach:
“Aircraft calling for practice approaches, call back later.”

Instructor:
“How much later?”

NY Approach:
“How about 9:30 tonight?”

Jerry Plante