Short Final

Editorial Staff

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

During bad weather, a helicopter pilot reported holding at 3,000 feet over a beacon.
A second, panicked voice then claimed to be holding at the exact same location and altitude.
The confusion was quickly resolved when the helicopter pilot realized the second voice belonged to his own copilot.

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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.