Short Final

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Overheard near the Tennessee/Alabama border: Memphis:“Heavy Iron 123, reduce speed to 210.” [no response] Memphis:“Heavy Iron 123, reduce speed to 210.” [no response] Memphis:“Heavy Iron 123, reduce speed to 210, now. You’re about to knock the rudder off that traffic in front of you. Or, if you’d rather […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Heard on the Detroit approach frequency while flying just north of Detroit City Airport one Sunday evening: Approach:“Airliner XXXX, turn left heading 350. Direct Flint when able.” Airliner XXXX:“Left three-fifty, direct Flint.” Approach:“Airliner YYYY, proceed direct Salem when able.” Airliner YYYY:“Direct Salem.” Airliner XXXX:“Airliner YYYY – hey, Dave, […]

While I was on short final into KFHU (Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista Arizona): Shadow-1:“Shadow-1 at runway 26, ready to take off.” Tower:“Shadow-1, hold short for landing traffic.” I then looked over at the holding aircraft and noticed that it was a Military UAV, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. This being the first one I’d ever seen, […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Heard at Gainesville, Florida Airport: Cessna:“Gainesville Tower, Cessna XXXXX, seven west with Tango.” Tower:“Cessna XXXXX, cleared to land, Runway Six.” Cessna:“We’d prefer Runway One Zero. We have some passengers to drop off at the terminal.” Tower:“Cessna XXXXX, you can’t do that. You have to use the general aviation […]

On Friday, October 10, Qantas’s first Airbus A380 visited Auckland, marking the first visit of the type to New Zealand. It did a press junket promotional flight across the city and environs, filmed by a news helicopter, ZK-HST. This was heard on Auckland control 124.3: ZK-HST:“Auckland Control, Hotel Sierra Tango. We’ve filmed the takeoff, and […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” A few years ago I flew a T-34 into Orlando Executive. Our flight leader called tower 15 miles out: Flight Leader:“… flight of 19 warbirds for the initial, overhead for landing.” Tower:“All civilian aircraft stay out of the area ’til further instructed.” Confusion reigned. Peter HorvatNew Milford, New […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Flying into New Orleans Lakefront, and approach had switched us over to tower. One controller worked both ground and tower frequencies. There was minimal radio chatter with other aircraft but what was there was worth hearing: Tower:“Cessna XXX, for future reference, the one with the yellow line down […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” While cruising at flight level, we heard the following between an American Airlines airliner and Miami Center: Airliner:“Center, American XXXX looking for higher.” Miami Center (female voice):“Didn’t hear you check in.” Airliner:“First time I’ve heard your voice. I must’ve forgotten.” Miami Center“That happens when you’re over twenty-six or […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Corporate Jet Captain:“San Jose Clearance Delivery, clearance on request for [airport name deleted to protect the guilty].” San Jose Clearance:“Didn’t I just give you that clearance?” [pause] Corporate Jet Captain:“My first officer is nodding yes. Sorry about that, but otherwise our airborne cockpit resource management is outstanding.” Michael […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Into Tampa, Florida at night, I overheard the controller misspeak to the airliner ahead of me in the line-up for landing: Tower:“Airline 123, you’re number three of two – wait, that’s number two of three. Sorry.” Airliner:“That’s okay, five out of three pilots have dyslexia, anvway.” Travis Eddlemanvia […]