Short Final

Short Final…

Editorial Staff
Verified
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • At the extremely busy EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh 2003, air traffic controllers typically used non-verbal wing-rocking for pilot acknowledgment.
  • A controller humorously instructed a "Bell Helicopter" to rock its wings, then quickly realized the error.
  • The controller corrected, asking the helicopter pilot to transmit verbally, which they did.
  • The exchange concluded with the controller welcoming the pilot to Oshkosh and humorously stating, "you've earned your wings today."
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Somtimes they’re a little busy…

Overheard inbound to EAA’s AirVenture, Oshkosh, 2003, where only the controllers on the ground speak and pilots respond by rocking their wings.

Controller: Bell Helicopter, Fisk Approach. If you read, rock your wings.

Controller: Right… OK, I guess you really don’t have any wings. Bell Helicopter, if you read, transmit.

Helicopter: I read you, Fisk.

Controller: Roger, enter left traffic for runway 36, welcome to Oshkosh … you’ve earned your wings today.

Editorial Staff

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