Short Final: Question Time

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Air traffic controllers are typically willing to answer pilot questions when their workload is light.
  • During busy periods, controllers lack the time to address pilot questions.
  • One controller developed a humorous tactic to decline questions during high-workload times by sarcastically stating they only had time for the initial inquiry, not the actual question.
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As a controller, I occasionally get asked, usually (but not always) when it’s slow on the radio, “Approach, do you have time for a question?”

OK, when it’s slow then yes, I most likely have time and am happy to answer questions. But, if you ask in the middle of a busy session, then the answer is “no.”

One day, I tried another tactic instead of just saying “no.”

Pilot: “Approach, do you have time for a question?”

Me: “Yeah, but only for the one you just asked … Airliner 279, turn right heading ….”

Aaron Grijalva
Castle Pines, Colorado

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