Short Final: Identity Crisis

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot at a non-towered airfield made a highly confused and humorous traffic call.
  • The pilot struggled to identify their aircraft, eventually stating, "hell, I don't know what I am. I'm an airplane."
  • The unusual call caused amusement among other listeners and highlighted the sometimes "uncontrolled" nature of such fields.
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From an IFR Magazine reader – Name withheld by request

I am based at a non-towered field and some days it is more “uncontrolled” than others. Finishing up my flight review the other day, my instructor and I heard a traffic call that went something like this:

“Small City Traffic, Piper Three Six Alpha Charlie … uh … Charlie Alpha … hell, I don’t know what I am. I’m an airplane. I’m downwind for Runway 21.”

If he made any more calls we missed them, probably laughing too hard.

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