Short Final: Maintain 200 Knots

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 04:17 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A final approach controller at Atlanta TRACON instructed all aircraft, including Corporate 123, to maintain 180 knots.
When questioned about its speed, Corporate 123 initially reported 160 knots, then corrected to 180.
The controller humorously responded by instructing Corporate 123 to maintain 200 knots, stating, "Your 180 is 20 knots slower than everyone else’s."

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One beautiful day in Atlanta Center, Smiley, a well‑known character at the TRACON, was the final approach controller and was assigning everyone 180 KIAS to the marker.

Atlanta Center: “Corporate 123 say speed.”

Corporate 123: “160 … Ahh I mean 180.”

Atlanta Center: “Corporate 123 maintain 200 knots. Your 180 is 20 knots slower than everyone else’s.”

Lawrence Marquez

Collierville, Tennessee