Short Final: Altitude Reporting

Editorial Staff

Friday, May 03, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A USAF student pilot in a T-38 was instructed by ATC to perform an expedited climb to FL220 and report passing every 2000 feet.
With instructor approval, the pilot engaged afterburners, achieving a climb rate exceeding 6000 FPM (the VSI's mechanical limit).
This allowed the pilot to make a single, continuous radio call reporting multiple altitudes (12,000 to FL220) as the aircraft rapidly ascended.

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Best radio call I ever got to make:

I was a student pilot in the USAF, on my T‑38 cross country. Our final leg was a short hop from ABQ to home at Reese AFB (Lubbock, Texas). Of course, all surplus gas would be consumed with approach and landing practice.

Departing ABQ, the TRACON asked for an expedited climb to something like FL220 and to “report passing every 2000 feet.”

With the blessing of my instructor, I had the true privilege of lighting both afterburners, pitching up, keying the mic and saying, “Reese 69 passing 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, FL180, FL200, leveling FL220,” then releasing the mic.

Climb rate in full afterburner exceeded 6000 FPM, which was the mechanical limit of our VSI.

Jim McIrvin

Warrenton, VA