Short Final: On Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article highlights the entertainment value of humorous radio transmissions overheard at airports with active flight schools.
  • An instructor repeatedly made exaggerated final approach calls, humorously claiming distances like a "45-mile final" and a "30-mile final."
  • These playful transmissions, met with a surprised reaction from a likely student, provided amusement for those listening.
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One of the joys of being based at an airport with a very active flight school (Orange County, Montgomery, New York) is the entertainment value of some of the radio transmissions. Witness:

Slightly bored instructor voice: “168 Lima Alpha, 45‑mile final Runway 22.”

Overly excited voice, hence probably a student: “Did you say 45‑mile final?!”

Instructor: “Sorry, actually it’s a late call. We were lined up 20 miles ago.”

Sometime later, even more bored instructor voice: “168 Lima Alpha now 30-mile final Runway 22 …”

Daniel Spitzer, MD
Piermont, New York

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