Short Final

Editorial Staff

Monday, April 12, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

During a busy fly-in, a pilot heard another pilot ask the air traffic controller about their control over the airspace.
The controller humorously and confidently replied, "In your location, I own from the surface up to God," asserting absolute authority.
This memorable interaction occurred amidst heavy air traffic with over 60 aircraft converging.
The author reflected on the literal interpretation of the controller's statement regarding airspace ownership and its vertical extent.

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I was on my way to a fly-in at KMPV last Saturday, VFR on flight following with Boston Center. It was quite busy. Over 60 planes from all over New England were converging (some IFR, some VFR) when I heard one pilot check on by asking whether that was the correct frequency and, “Do you control this airspace?”

Without hesitation, the very helpful, friendly, and very busy controller replied, “In your location, I own from the surface up to God.”

I wonder how high that goes. Is that Class G airspace?

Jim Quinn
via e-mail