Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A helicopter pilot reports holding at 3,000 feet over a beacon during bad weather.
A second, panicked voice radios in, claiming to be holding at the exact same altitude and location.
The helicopter pilot, after a brief pause, reveals that the panicked voice belongs to their own co-pilot, resolving the perceived conflict with humor.

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

This comes from a search and rescue pilot at Canadian Forces Base in Bagotville, Quebec. It happened late one night during bad weather, as heard over the tower radio:

Helicopter pilot: Roger, I’m holding at 3,000 feet over the beacon.

Second voice: (Panic in voice) No, you can’t be doing that…I’m holding at 3,000 feet over that beacon.

Helicopter pilot: (Short pause) You idiot, you’re my copilot.