Short Final: Magic Words

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A fatigued pilot, prompted by ATC to cancel flight following, humorously responded with a non-standard phrase instead of the usual cancellation.
  • When ATC playfully requested "the magic words," the pilot wittily replied "Abracadabra."
  • Despite the unconventional exchange, ATC understood the pilot's intent and proceeded to issue the VFR cancellation.
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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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