Short Final

Several years ago, as the volume of traffic was increasing at BNA, an American Eagle flight received and acknowledged an incorrect altimeter setting. After mentioning it to ground control, he added: “Well, up-periscope and taxi to the ramp!” Rich Maysvia e-mail

This didn’t happen on the radio but was a texting classic. The weather was tough, and we needed just a bit of Jet A. And we always take prist. Apparently, autocorrect saw the gravity of the situation. As I texted the other pilot, it came out as: “We need 200 gals. Jet A with priest.” […]

Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK elevation: 303 feet) with a long-standing glider club on the field recently began tower operations. After the tower had been operating for about a week, on a relatively busy Saturday afternoon, I heard this exchange: Glider:“Frederick Tower, Glider XXX at 1,600 feet inbound for a right downwind for landing runway 12 […]

Flying my 172 near McGuire Air Force Base on Sunday, VFR with flight following from McGuire Approach. Two Air Force DC-10 tankers were practicing approaches as I flew by, and I offered to climb to stay out of their way. The controller asked me to climb and maintain 2,500 feet. Approach:“TAC 1, turn left, heading […]

On a Young Eagles flight recently, the 8-year-old girl sitting in the right seat asked me what why I had a switch for “rotting bacon.” Confused, I asked her to point to it. Then I said, “Oh, that’s for the rotating beacon!” I’m going to use that term from now on. Rich Oleszczukvia e-mail

About ten airplanes from a local air park descended on the usually quiet Grand Prarie Muni (Texas) for Sunday breakfast. Afterward, we heard this exchange: Controller (somewhat exasperated) :“Did you guys all take off together?” Unidentified Pilot:“No. We actually took off one at a time … .” Steve Wilsonvia e-mail

Listening to the radio in our hangar, we heard the following exchange. After landing at KSTS, a pilot requested to taxi to his hangar. He was given specific instructions and was cleared to his hangar. About 30 seconds later, we heard: Mooney 432XX:“Santa Rosa Ground, this is Mooney 432XX with a request.” Ground:“Mooney 432XX, say […]

En route over central Florida, we heard the following exchange between Jacksonville Center or Approach (can’t remember which) and a Cessna approaching its destination: Jax Center:“1234AB, do you have information ‘Hotel’?” 1234AB:“Uh, nah, sir, we don’t need it. Thanks, but we’re stayin’ with some friends down in New Smyrna.” Jax Center:“1234AB, negative. Advise if you […]

Flying a Piper Lance from Santa Fe to Scottsdale in severely turbulent winds, someone on the radio asked ATC a question. Unidentified Pilot:“Is there anyone flying out there in this stuff?” ATC:“Yes. One other aircraft.” Unidentified Pilot:“At what altitude?” ATC:“Well, he’s assigned 10,500, but he’s anywhere between 9,500 and 11,500.” Leonard Hendlemanvia e-mail

Overheard flying into Chicago (ORD): ORD Approach:“British Airways, can you be down to 4,000 feet by XXXXX?” [pause] British Airways 12345:“I suppose so — but I don’t think I can bring the aircraft with me.” John Finleyvia e-mail