Short Final: Slow For Spacing

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Key Takeaways:

  • An American Airlines pilot was instructed by Atlanta Air Traffic Control to significantly reduce speed for spacing into Charlotte.
  • The pilot expressed disappointment at the required speed reduction.
  • The Air Traffic Controller responded with a humorous quip, implying the instruction was solely for operational necessity and not a shared inconvenience.
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One day on my way to Nashville, I overheard the following:

American 1234: “Good morning Atlanta Center. American 1234 checking in. Out of 23 for 12 thousand.”

Atlanta Center: “Good morning American 1234, say indicated airspeed.”

American 1234: “320 knots.”

Atlanta Center: “For spacing into Charlotte, I need you to slow to 260 knots.”

American 1234: “Aw, man, you’re killing me.”

Atlanta Center: “So, do you remember the old saying, ‘It hurts me as much as it hurts you?’”

American 1234: “Yes.”

Atlanta Center: “Sorry, it doesn’t apply today!”

Patrick Jebaily
Florence, SC

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