Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • In the late 1960s, ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) was a new aviation system that many pilots were not yet familiar with.
  • A pilot contacting San Jose Tower for landing misunderstood the tower's repeated query about "information Hotel" (referring to the ATIS broadcast).
  • Believing it was an offer for accommodation, the pilot humorously declined, stating they were "staying with friends."
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ATIS was being implemented in the late 1960s, and many pilots were not yet aware of it. While making practice instrument approaches at San Jose International Airport in California, I overheard the following exchange:

Cessna 1234:
“San Jose Tower, Cessna 1234. Ten south, landing San Jose.”

SJC Tower:
“Cessna 1234, do you have information Hotel?”

[silence]

SJC Tower:
“Cessna 1234, do you have information Hotel?”

[more silence]

Cessna 1234:
“Ahhh, no thanks. We’re staying with friends.”


John Forker
via e-mail

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