Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A VFR pilot flying at night from Austin, Texas, on a clear, still evening requested flight following from air traffic control.
The controller, who was the sole person managing clearance, ground, and departure for the quiet airspace, confirmed the pilot's instructions.
She humorously declined the flight following request by stating, "But darlin' - there's nobody out there except for you, me, and the owls," highlighting the deserted conditions.

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

A few years back, when I only had my VFR ticket with only a few night flights under my belt, I was departing Austin, Texas for Lufkin on a perfectly clear, still night. When getting clearance, I asked the controller for flight following. She told me to talk to departure. It turned out that the same lady was working clearance delivery, ground, and departure – I was her only customer for all three.

Me:
“Departure: [I repeated departure instructions.] And could I get that flight following?”

Departure:
“Cessna Zero Three Quebec, readback correct. But darlin’ – there’s nobody out there except for you, me, and the owls.”

Elena Campbell
Lufkin, Texas