Due to firefighting activity, our small airport became a heli-base, and we had a temporary FAA tower. I briefed a recently soloed student who had never been out of the area or to a towered airport on procedures. Of course, one point was quickly forgotten and/or possibly overlooked.
Cessna 123:
“Scott Valley Tower, 123 requesting back taxi to runway 16 run-up area.”
Tower:
“123, you are cleared as requested.”
As he was doing his run-up …
Tower:
“Cessna 123, hold short for landing traffic and read back ‘hold short’ instructions.”
Cessna 123:
[Of course he didn’t read back.]
Tower:
“123, hold short – landing traffic.”
Cessna 123:
[Again, no reply.]
Tower:
“123, acknowledge and read back ‘hold short’ instructions.”
Cessna 123:
[Still no reply.]
Tower:
“Cessna 123, do you read Scott Valley Tower?”
Cessna 123:
“Yes, sir, and I’m holding for you to read back instructions!”
Kevin Martin
via e-mail
