Short Final: The Forest

Monday, January 04, 2021 at 07:20 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A Phoenix Departure controller issued a standard squawk code instruction, "Fife Tree Tree Tree" (5333), to a pilot.
The pilot humorously responded to the instruction by saying they were "squawking five and the forest."
Despite being a "stickler for standard communications," the controller chuckled at the pilot's witty reply, acknowledging the radar contact.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Departing Buckeye for Flagstaff, the Phoenix Departure controller was obviously a stickler for standard communications.

Phoenix: Two Seven Victor, Squawk Fife Tree Tree Tree.

Us: Okay, squawking five and the forest, Two Seven Victor.

Phoenix (chuckling): 27V, Radar contact, cleared on course, maintain VFR.

David Bunin