Short Final

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: […]

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Short Final

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, […]

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Short Final

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

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Short Final

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

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Short Final

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. […]

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Short Final

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 […]

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Short Final

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

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Short Final

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

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Short Final

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

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Short Final

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 […]

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