Short Final: Final Frontier

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A flight instructor made five consecutive radio calls for student flights.
  • On the fifth call, the air traffic controller responded casually, prompting a creative response.
  • The instructor responded with a Star Trek-themed radio call, referencing exploration and adventure.
  • The controller playfully reciprocated with a Star Wars reference in the clearance.
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During one very long day when I was a full time instructor, I ended up with five students in a row all early in the PPL syllabus so I did all the radio calls at our busy, towered airport. On flight five, I called clearance with my call sign and got a casual “Same as last time, Dave?” reply.

“Absolutely not,” I said and continued with: “Flight training, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Cessna 152 GABC on its one-hour mission to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before: local practice area West!”

The solemn reply, “Cessna GABC squawk 1234. Fly the XXX departure. Contact ground on 121.9 and may the Force be with you.”

David Gagliardi

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