Short Final

Overheard on a scanner recently at St. John’s International Airport (CYYT): An inbound commercial flight was getting the bad news from the tower that conditions for the active runway were 200 feet and 1/4 mile in heavy fog. Controller and aircraft discussed alternatives for a few minutes before the pilot, knowing his passengers were going […]

Here’s a story from above the Polar Circle: I am involved in a voluntary home defense pilot group in the northern part of Sweden. We only fly Cessnas and Pipers on a regular basis, and our pilots are mainly bush pilots, not accustomed to using the radio often. During a training weekend at a controlled […]

An exchange overheard while flying over the Mojave Desert: Joshua Approach:“Bonanza 50Y, traffic two o’clock, five miles. Unmanned aerial vehicle has you in sight.” 50Y (me):“50Y looking. If he’s ‘unmanned,’ how can he have me in sight?” Joshua Approach:“Oh. He’s got a T-38 spotter plane, so really it’s a flight of two … . Now […]

Listening to Oshkosh Tower transmissions on LiveATC.net last week, I overheard a controller tell an approaching seaplane: Oshkosh Controller:“Amphib landing runway 36, the runway is dry; check for wheels down.” Don Aldridgevia e-mail Several “Short Final” stopped by the AVweb and press trailer during AirVenture to share their favorite radio funnies with us – but, […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Palm Beach, Florida approach was busy, as usual. My experience is that they’re always 100% business and 0% humor. They must have had a new controller at the mic: Approach:“Mooney Three Four November, squawk VFR; frequency change approved.” Mooney 34N:“Approach, uh, roger – and I want to report […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Thunderstorms moved across the Cleveland area, and approach control tried to get one more airplane in: Cleveland Approach:“Northwest Twelve Thirty-Four, if you can descend to 3000, I’ll vector you for a straight-in ILS 28.” Northwest 1234 (no doubt sensing a last-chance opportunity to beat the storm) :“We’re outta […]

While on tower freq for VGT (North Las Vegas), I overheard the following: Cessna 1234N:“Tower, this is Cessna 1234N, 10 miles northwest with yankee, inbound full stop.” Tower:“Cessna 1234N, tower. Continue inbound. Report 4-mile final for runway 12 right.” Cessna 1234N:“Tower, Cessna 1234N reporting 4-mile final.” Tower:“Cessna 1234N cleared for landing. Runway 12 right. Say […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Overheard in Southern Florida: Fort Myers Approach:“Cessna Three Four Alpha, say heading.” Cessna:“Ah, we’re headin’ for Tampa.” Fort Myers Approach:“Cessna Three Four Alpha, say heading.” Cessna:“Well, okay. We’re headin’ for the LaBelle VOR first and then going on to Tampa.” Fort Myers Approach:“Cessna Three Four Alpha, could you […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” I was departing Terre Haute, Indiana. The ATIS said clear below 12,000, but I could see a scattered layer of clouds to the south with tops around 4,500 feet. After tower switched me to departure, there was this exchange: Cessna 123 (me):“Approach, Cessna 123. Request VFR-on-top 5,500.” Controller […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” I heard someone call Jacksonville Center “Jacksonville approach.” When corrected, the pilot apologized. Controller:“I’ve been called worse.” Pilot:“You must be married.” No telling if the controller was or not … . Frank LongTampa, Florida