Short Final

Editorial Staff

Monday, July 20, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A helicopter pilot at Detroit Metro requested a northwest departure.
The control tower approved the departure, advising it was at the pilot's own risk due to the area not being visible from the tower.
The helicopter pilot humorously responded that being in a helicopter means departure is always at their own risk.

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Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section

I heard this one at Detroit Metro as I was taxiing to parking. It was between a helicopter pilot and the control tower quite early one morning:

Helicopter Pilot:
“Metro tower, Helicopter 234 at Signature. Request northwest departure information Tango.”

Tower:
“Helicopter 234, northwest departure approved. No known traffic in the area. Departure is at your own risk; area not visible from the tower.”

Helicopter Pilot:
“Helicopter 234: Roger – departure approved, and it’s always at our own risk: We’re in a helicopter!”

Geoff Braden
Columbus, Ohio