Short Final: Pop The Chute

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An air traffic controller repeatedly tries to provide a specific radio frequency (124.125) to a pilot, Cirrus 123.
  • The pilot consistently mishears or misstates the frequency, demonstrating a significant breakdown in communication.
  • Despite the controller's clear and phonetic repetitions, the pilot continues to provide incorrect frequencies.
  • The exchange concludes with an anonymous, exasperated suggestion for the pilot to "just pop the chute," highlighting the extreme frustration caused by the pilot's inability to follow basic instructions.
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I heard the following somewhere over Kentucky:

Approach: “Cirrus 123, contact Center on 124.125.”

Cirrus: “Cirrus 123 uhhh, switching to 124.2.”

Approach: “Cirrus 123 the frequency is 124.125, twenty‑four, twelve, five.”

Cirrus: “Uhhh, was that 122.12?”

Approach: “No, 124‑decimal‑125.”

Cirrus: “Roger, ahh 124.25”

Approach: “Cirrus, the frequency is One. Two. Four. Point. One. Two. Fife.”

Anonymous: “Just pop the chute.”

Nathan Souleret
Miami, FL
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