Short Final: Be Right Back

Monday, March 30, 2020 at 11:08 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

IFR pilots frequently experience the dynamic and often frustrating nature of air traffic control routing instructions.
A pilot's morale can quickly shift based on ATC communications, such as when an instruction is initially given and then retracted.
Even a temporary deferral ("I'll be right back with you") from ATC can instill hope for a more favorable routing or altitude clearance.

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Every IFR pilot knows the joys and sorrows of routing. Flying home from Massachusetts one afternoon, I heard the following exchange:

NY controller: “King Air XXXX, climb and … disregard.”

Pilot: “Awwww…”

NY controller: “I’ll be right back with you.”

Pilot: “Woo‑hoo!”

Ed Fischer
Philadelphia, PA