Short Final

Heard at ILG (Wilmington, DE) on a Sunday. ILG is a training site for ATC, and also has very, very patient controllers. Tower: Cherokee XYZ, let me explain how we do things. When I give you a clearance, you need to read it back so I know you understood. Cherokee XYZ: OK, I understand. Tower: […]

I was that stage of my instrument training where I was struggling to keep the shiny side up while monitoring radios, tuning navaids, and looking at approach charts. My instructor and I were shooting a Localizer approach to 17R at David Wayne Hooks airport in Houston. It was during the winter and already dark. Thankfully, […]

We were in a long holding pattern at STL on a typical bad day there. Approach Control gave a direct clearance to another aircraft and canceled his hold. Pilot: “Roger, cleared direct; you read my mind.” Anonymous voice: “It was a short book.” Tom Wilson

A Cessna wheel/float aircraft was being ferried from the Lower 48 to Talkeetna Alaska.Upon arrival the pilot called the FSS station for landing information. FSS: Altimeter 29.92, wind calm, runway 01 or 19, your choice.” Pause Cessna: “Which one is the longest? Tom Mackle

My friend was flying his Mooney 201 around the world. Needless to say, it was way over gross weight, flying with ferry tanks under a ferry permit. On departure from an Australian airport on a hot morning, he was only able to manage about a 200 FPM climb to his initial altitude of 5,000 feet. […]

I had the following exchange with a tower controller immediately after takeoff. Me: Tower, I’d like to report a bird strike during takeoff. I don’t believe there’s any damage to the aircraft, but you’ll need to have someone check for any bird parts on the runway. Tower: Was it a small bird? Me: It is […]

My friend Chuck, a recent solo student, got the following request from the tower on landing. Tower: “Expedite clearing the runway.” Chuck brought the C-150 to a halt on the runway. Chuck: “What does expedite mean?” Jeff B. Land

On final approach to Runway 23 in a D-18 Beech at Mansfield Lama Airport, Ohio, we received this inquiry from the control tower: Tower: Beech XXXXX please confirm nose wheel extension? Beech 18: After looking at each other in surprise and much laughing, we responded:“Mansfield Tower, N8504, we don’t have one!” Sue Packer

As I approached Sarasota Airport on the downwind there was a Cessna 172 ahead of me who asked the tower clearance for landing. Tower: “State your intentions.” The pilot said that he planned to have dinner with his brother-in-law that evening. Tower: “Roger, cleared to land.” Tom Wilson

A few years ago I was returning to KHLN after an evening flight. It was a beautiful night and well into dusk and not another voice on the radio when I made my call into HLN. N3969B: Hln tower cub 3969B, eight miles Northeast, inbound landing Victor. HLN tower: cub 69B, not in sight, report […]