Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Navy P-3 pilot inadvertently broadcasted a "public address" meant for his crew over Miami Approach's frequency due to a stuck microphone.
  • Miami Approach politely informed the pilot of the stuck mic and instructed him to contact Homestead Approach.
  • The incident resulted in an embarrassing silence, prompting the pilot to assign radio duty to a student.
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I was inbound to Homestead AFB a long time ago in a Navy P-3 . As we were vectored over the Bahamas and into the Miami area, I proceeded to give my best “PA,” pointing out the sights to the crew. As I wound down, we heard this from Miami approach:

Miami Approach:
“That’s very interesting, Navy Quartet 35. Now that your stuck mic is fixed, contact Homestead Approach on 119.2!”

An embarassing silence followed, and the student was given radio duty!


Tom Clarke
via e-mail

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