Short Final: Say Altitude

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot humorously misinterpreted an Air Traffic Control (ATC) request to "say altitude," responding literally with "Altitude."
ATC patiently clarified the request, asking the pilot to state the altitude they were flying.
The pilot then provided the correct altitude of 5,500 feet, allowing ATC to acknowledge and provide the altimeter setting.

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I was on an IFR arrival into Houston a while ago with busy Approach Control, when I heard the following exchange:

Approach Control: “N1234 say altitude.”

N1234: “Altitude.”

Approach without hesitation and very patiently: “N1234 say the altitude you are flying.”

N1234: “Oh, 5,500 feet.”

Approach: “Thank you. Altimeter 29.93.”

Mark Robertson

Alvin, TX