Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot, recently upgraded to a Beech Baron and fresh from proficiency training, made their first PIC flight into central Florida airspace.
The pilot mistakenly addressed Air Traffic Control as "Orlando Approach" while requesting a Class B entry, instead of the correct "Tampa Approach."
ATC humorously corrected the pilot, implying that if the pilot misidentified ATC, ATC might jokingly misidentify the pilot's Beech Baron as a Piper.

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

After 10 years of flying a Twin Comanche, I upgraded to a Beech Baron. With the Beechcraft Pilot Proficiency Program in Lakeland, Fla. under my belt, I advanced the throttles on my first PIC flight into Orlando airspace.

Me: Orlando Approach, Baron Eight Two Four just off Lakeland, five miles to the east, out of 1,200 for 3,500. Would like to coordinate a Class B entry en route to New Smyrna Beach, VFR.

Approach [in a classic southern drawl]: Baron Eight Two Four, this is Tampa Approach, and if you dont call us Orlando, we won’t call you a Piper. Squawk two seven three zero and ident.