Short Final

On a particularly clear day I was practicing commercial maneuvers west of Sioux Falls when I heard a King Air check in with Approach. He was told to descend to 4000 feet and expect the visual for Runway 15 when he had the field in sight. King Air: “Five three golf we’re goin’ to four, […]

While flying on a pleasant Sunday afternoon near Northwest Missouri, I heard the following on a local Unicom frequency. After several seconds of nothing but screaming, I was expecting to hear a “Mayday” call. Instead, a slow, calm voice said, “Jumpers away over Lexington. Use caution 10,000 and below.” You could still hear the screaming […]

Now, I realize that this column is usually about amusing encounters, but I want to share something that was simply heartwarming to possibly expand your horizons. About a year ago I was training a student pilot. The college student was very intense and strived to be perfect at all her training. She listened to LiveATC […]

My brother, J.R., and I have made a number of flights to the Bahamas in one of our two airplanes. Once we had a crowd, so we took both airplanes. He was in his Cessna 182 and I was in my Cessna 206. On the return trip while crossing central Florida, near Orlando, on a […]

I was flying south over a water route just off the East Coast nearing Washington, D.C., when a Baron called ATC and this was the exchange. Baron: “Washington Center, what were those aircraft that just went by me? It was a group of some kind of fighters.” Center: “Oh, those. Yes, that was a flight […]

A few days ago, departing Minot North Dakota for Duluth in a Skylane, I asked ATC if the NOTAM for military training at Duluth had the airport closed, or whether it was open to GA traffic. He asked me to stand by for a minute, and then said, “It’s closed at the moment, but will […]

Eastbound through Chicago O’Hare’s Class Bravo, we were on frequency with a controller rattling off instructions to several airplanes in rapid fire. We heard him say in mid‑stream, “But wait, that can’t be right! No it is … Sometimes I amaze myself.” He then continued with his rapid fire instructions. Carmen Fria Santa Fe, NM

About 30 years ago I had a business trip to London and took the BOAC Concorde from Washington Dulles International Airport to London Heathrow Airport. Captain McMahon had a very pleasant voice and I sent him a note requesting the jump seat if it was available for the approach and landing. I promised “not to […]

Heading north from Santa Monica to Oakland and approaching San Jose, I heard the following: Approach: “N1234, remain east and north of highway 101.” N1234: “Ah, 1234, roger.” Approach: “N1234, please remain east and north of the freeway.” N1234: “Ah OK, 101, 1234.” Approach: “N1234, do you see that long thing on your right with […]

Here is a text message exchange between a pilot and his wife on Facebook. It’s always better at home when your flying spouse knows proper ATC phraseology. Husband: “On the train. Arrive 16:51.” Wife: “Rog. Report Sevenoaks.” Husband: “Wilco.” John Templeton Washington, UT