Flying my 172 near McGuire Air Force Base on Sunday, VFR with flight following from McGuire Approach. Two Air Force DC-10 tankers were practicing approaches as I flew by, and I offered to climb to stay out of their way. The controller asked me to climb and maintain 2,500 feet.
Approach:
“TAC 1, turn left, heading 330. Intercept the ILS 24, maintain 2,000′ until established. Traffic is a 172 above you at 2,500′. Caution: wake turbulence.”
(Silence on the frequency. Did I hear right?)
TAC 1:
“Ahhh, Approach — say again the traffic?”
Approach (a new voice) :
“TAC 1, disregard wake turbulence warning. Cleared for the approach.”
Me in my 172:
“McGuire, 4RP. Why did you cancel the other guy’s wake turbulence warning? You just made my day!”
Approach:
“Sorry about that, but I had to. I’m the only one here who can talk right now we’re all laughing so hard!”
Rabbi Don Weber
Morganville, NJ
