Short Final: Capital Idea!

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot successfully requested an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach for Runway 32, despite air traffic control initially expecting a visual approach.
  • The pilot's quick wit and persistence in responding to ATC's non-committal reply ("there's always a chance") led to their request being granted.
  • The exchange concluded with a lighthearted and cooperative tone between the pilot and air traffic control.
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Toward the end of my flight, I had the following exchange with air traffic control:

Approach Control: “N1234, expect visual approach Runway 32.”

Me: “Any chance we can get the ILS 32?”

Approach Control: “Well, there’s always a chance …”

Me: “Well, capitalizing on that chance, we’d like to request the ILS 32.”

Approach Control: “What a capital idea! You can expect that.”

Andrew Laudato
Nashville, TN
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