On the Air: March 2015

My brother is an air traffic controller here in our city. My father and I occasionally get the chance to be on frequency with him when his schedules and our flights overlap. Radio transmission quality makes it hard to know for sure if we are talking to him or not.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The anecdotes highlight the often humorous and sometimes personal interactions between pilots and air traffic controllers, including playful banter, pranks, and empathetic exchanges.
Stories showcase the critical role of ATC in ensuring safety, demonstrating their quick thinking in managing challenging situations such as unresponsive aircraft or offering unusual clearances.
The collection offers glimpses into the unique culture of aviation, from creatively named navigational fixes to controllers' understanding of pilots' operational challenges.

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One early morning, I was getting my IFR clearance. While I was pretty sure it was my brother, I dutifully read back my clearance. I knew it was my brother when the reply came back: “1063W readback incorrect. Every transmission must start with ‘Oh Most Honorable Controller’.”