Short Final

I was flying IFR from KHIO in Oregon to KMAN in Idaho and trying to avoid IMC. I saw that my ARTCC route showed a GPS altitude 2,000 feet lower than my current altitude, which would keep us below the IMC looming ahead. Me: “Seattle Center, 28M, can I get lower? Seattle Center: 28M, negative, […]

Back in the 70’s I was in the pattern at Palamar Airport, along with several other aircraft. One fellow was having issues with his radio. Tower:“N1234 turn off your radio.” After several long seconds. Tower: “OK turn it back on” John Heiser

The Collings Foundation’s bombers were giving rides while I was getting ready to depart the airport at Ramona, CA early this summer. When I called for takeoff, I was told to hold short while a B-17 landed. After that beautiful plane cleared the runway, the follow exchange happened: RNM: Cessna, cleared for takeoff, caution wake […]

JAX Approach: American 123, airport 11 o’clock, 8 miles. Report in sight. AA123: (obviously, the co-pilot) The man says he has the airport in sight. JAX approach: Tell the man he’s cleared to the airport, expect a visual runway 8. AA123: I’ll break it to him gently.

The pre-private, 16-year-old, 12-hour total time solo glider student called the TFR-fire base temporary tower staff. Glider Student: “Santa Ynez Tower, Glider 28 Tango, 45 entry to right traffic, Runway 26, Santa Ynez.” This was followed by a deep baritone, “Santa Ynez, Skycrane 2C, inbound three miles from the southeast.” Tower: “Glider 28 Tango , […]

I am an instructor in Germany and was with a student flying to his first towered airport. The aircraft has no GPS installed and visibility was around 4-5 km in mist. We were given the entry into the control zone via VFR reporting point “November.” Tower (in a kind, investigative voice): “D-HR you are a […]

Family and friends were watching the first takeoff of an experimental home built.As he came down the runway he over pitched then pushed the nose down hitting the runway causing a ground loop off the runway with dirt flying. He then taxied back on the runway. Tower: “What are your intentions?” He said there was […]

Tri City Departure: Cessna 12345, squawk 4305 Cessna 12345: Tri City, um, we just noticed we are missing the knob for the last dial on the transponder. Tri City Departure: What number is it on? Cessna 12345: Zero Tri City Departure: Standby, let me see if I can get you a code that ends in […]

Climbing out of my home airport with our friendly (and funny) tower controllers, I heard: Tower: Cardinal XYZ, check transponder. XYZ: Turning it on, sorry, guys, XYZ. Tower: Cardinal XYZ, never admit your mistakes on frequency, just say it was warming up. XYZ: All warmed up! XYZ. Tower: That’s the spirit. Daniel Rasin

Walla Walla Regional Airport (KALW) tower provided instructions to an incoming flight. “Cessna XXXXXX, incoming Alaska Q400 number two behind you. Make your best speed.” Response: “Walla Walla Tower, Cessna XXXXXX is a 152 and I’m pedaling as fast as I can!” Mark Carlile