Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A traffic watch pilot mistakenly reported their altitude as "35,000 feet" instead of "3,500 feet" to March Air Force Base approach.
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) promptly clarified the significant altitude difference with the pilot.
  • ATC humorously inquired about the type of traffic the pilot expected to observe from such an extreme altitude.
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Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section
Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air”

I was flying my shift as a traffic watch pilot in a Cessna 172 here in Southern California and had just contacted March Air Force Base approach to transit their Class C airspace.

Me:
“March approach, good afternoon. Traffic Watch One Two Three, 35,000 feet.”

March Approach:
“Traffic Watch One Two Three, roger. Do you mean 3,500?”

Me:
“Yes, sir – 3,500. Did I say ‘35,000’?”

March Approach:
“Uh, yeah. I was wondering what kind of traffic you’re looking at from that altitude.”


Shane
via e-mail

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