Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • In the early 1960s, aircraft inbound to Kennedy Airport via the Canarsie approach were instructed to maintain 210 knots.
  • When a controller sequentially asked three different airline pilots for their speed, all three reported precisely "210."
  • The controller responded by implying that the uniformity was statistically improbable and that at least one pilot was being dishonest.
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Inbound to Kennedy in the early ’60s. Canarsie approach. Aircraft lined up on the inbound radial to keep 210 knots.

Controler:
“American 123, what’s your speed?”

American 123:
“210.”

Controller:
“Scandinavian 456, what’s your speed?”

Scandinavian 456:
“210.”

Controller:
“Air France 789, what’s your speed?”

Air France 789:
“210.”

[Silence for a while. Then …]

Controller:
“One of you is a #*@! liar!”


Bjrn Ekberg
via e-mail

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