Short Final: Magic Words

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot, flying home late to a non-towered airport, had a lighthearted exchange with ATC when asked to call the field in sight.
  • Instead of the standard cancellation, the tired pilot humorously stated, "Field in sight, I can cancel anytime."
  • ATC playfully responded by demanding "the magic words" from the pilot.
  • The interaction concluded with ATC issuing the standard VFR cancellation, maintaining the humorous tone.
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I was flying home late one night into my home base which is a non-towered airport near a Class C airport. Approach asked me to “call the field” when I had it in sight. It was the end of a long day and I didn’t respond with a cancellation as usual. Instead I replied, “Field in sight, I can cancel anytime.”

ATC: “I need to hear the magic words.”

Me: “Abracadabra?”

ATC: “N1234, Sqwuawk VFR. Good Night.”

Shane DeWeese

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