Short Final

Not many controllers away from the northern border of the U.S. are familiar with Canada’s alphabetic aircraft registration system and it can cause confusion. C-ABCD: XXXX tower this Canadian Civil Charlie Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta. Request runway in use. No response C-ABCD: Again XXXX tower Canadian Civil Charlie Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta requesting runway in […]

On Presidents’ Day weekend, POTUS had West Palm Beach shut down with his TFR. Boca was swamped with corporate and private traffic trying to avoid the TFR restrictions. We were sitting in a long line waiting for departure, with numerous jets lined up for arrival, when a weekend warrior called up tower inbound asking for […]

While flying from the northeast to south Florida last week it was bumpy at all altitudes and everyone was trying to find a better ride. I overheard this conversation with ATC. United XYZ: Jax Center, were getting a rough ride here at 360. Do you have anything smoother? Jax Center: Yes, I-95 United XYZ (after […]

On a recent trip to visit my inlaws, I was passing by an airport on my way when I heard this exchange: Cessna1234:Tower, Cessna 1234 is ready for takeoff. Tower: Cessna 1234 you are cleared for takeoff Runway 24. Say direction of flight. Cessna 1234: Cleared for takeoff Runway 24, Direction of Flight. Tower: Which […]

I was listening to Unicom at my local airport in Northwest Ohio when I heard the following exchange between two jets on the ramp. Citation 1234: Taxiing to runway 18 for departure. Lear 5678: You going to Columbus? Citation: Yeah Lear: Wanna Race? Citation: That’s not fair, you’re in a Lear! Ben Stevens

Years ago, new GPS approaches were commissioned at Houma, LA (KHUM) and the FAA King Air was flight checking them. Tower: “Report JOBUP” King Air after delay: “JOBUP” Another aircraft: “Are you guys naming these after your kids, now?” Bob Dingley

Providence Approach:King Air 1234 contact Bradley Approach on 123.95. Providence Approach:King Air 1234 contact Bradley Approach on 123.95. Providence Approach: King Air 1234 – contact Bradley Approach on 123.95 King Air 1234: (Scratchy static)Here, you reply from your seat. This PTT is a POS. Graeme Smith

Often the hardest part of flying into a big Class B airport is finding your way around on the ground. After landing at Washington Dulles, I heard this exchange on the ground frequency. Hawker: “Ground, Hawker xxx, uh, we’re having some trouble finding Foxtrot” Ground: “Hawker xxx, where are you?” Hawker: “We’re at Zulu and […]

While we were preparing to shut down at a tie down spot at Henderson Airport, Las Vegas, ground control was directing a taxiing Piper. Ground: “Cherokee Nxxxx, say your destination.” Cherokee:“Uhh, we’re not sure where we’re going. We’re just following the van in front of us (the “follow-me” van). Ground (chuckling):“I mean when you depart […]

Recently heard on Bremen Information (Germany): Pilot: Bremen Information D-EABC ATC: D-EABC Bremen Information Pilot: D-EABC there is a guy here violently moving on the vertical about 2000 feet up- and downwards. Do you know about that and does he have a permission to do that? ATC: D-EABC yes, he does, But you have no […]