Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot making an ILS approach into a busy airport became flustered, repeatedly asking air traffic control (ATC) for landing clearance and confirmation of their sequence.
Despite being told they were "number two" behind a Cessna, the pilot couldn't locate the preceding aircraft and continued to question their position.
ATC eventually responded to the pilot's persistent inquiries with a sarcastic "you are soooo number one" for landing.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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

I was on the ILS into Oakland, California one busy dav and was cleared to land behind two other aircraft that were in the pattern. The pilot of the aircraft ahead of me was clearly flustered:

Piper:
“Tower, is Piper One Two Three cleared to land?”

Tower:
“Piper One Two Three, yes, you’re cleared to land. Runway 27 Right, number two behind a Cessna just passing over the numbers.”

Piper:
“Okay, Piper One Two Three cleared to land behind the Cessna.”

[pause]

Piper:
“I don’t see him.”

[pause]

Piper:
“Tower, is Piper One Two Three number one to land on 27 Right?”

Tower:
“Piper One Two Three, you are soooo number one.”

John Ewing
via e-mail