I was westbound on a sunny day just south of Duluth, Minn., when the following conversation regarding situational awareness occurred:
Delta 2234: “Minneapolis Center, Delta Twenty-two Thirty-four. What is the large lake in front of me?”
On The Air: May 2010
I was westbound on a sunny day just south of Duluth, Minn., when the following conversation regarding situational awareness occurred:Delta 2234: Minneapolis Center, Delta Twenty-two Thirty-four. What is the large lake in front of me?Minneapolis Center: Uh, which one? Minnesota license plates do say, Land of 10,000 Lakes. Delta 2234: The one at my 12 oclock.Center (annoyed or flabbergasted, Im not sure): Uh, Lake Superior!Delta 2234: Oh, Wow!There was a brief period of radio silence likely due to Center employees rolling on the floor laughing and crying at the same time.
Key Takeaways:
- Pilots can sometimes lack fundamental situational awareness, as illustrated by one pilot needing ATC to identify Lake Superior.
- General aviation pilots may encounter unique situations, such as receiving a wake turbulence warning for a Boeing 787.
- Human error, like forgetting camera film, can lead to humorous re-requests and flexible responses from air traffic control.
- Clever communication tactics are sometimes employed by pilots, exemplified by a subtle yet successful request for a direct route.
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