Bully on the Block

Tom Benenson

Monday, April 21, 2008 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An incident where a pilot made a highly inappropriate "shoot-down" joke on the radio caused significant distress and led to FAA action, underscoring the serious implications of poor radio discipline, especially in the post-9/11 era.
The article emphasizes the critical need for clear, concise, and complete radio communication to enhance situational awareness, ensure safety, and reduce pilot stress, particularly in busy or uncontrolled airspace.
Pilots are reminded of their responsibility to use radios effectively, listen attentively to traffic, and stay updated on airport information (like frequencies and NOTAMs) to promote safe and orderly flight operations.

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Just when I thought it was safe to get back in the pattern and that pilots were finally taking to heart proper radio discipline, I got a frantic call from my friend Jim. He was very upset about an incident that had occurred two days earlier as he was approaching the Morristown (New Jersey) Municipal Airport from the west in his Cessna Skylane, N828JT (the N-number’s been changed to ensure Jim’s anonymity). (New Jersey) Municipal Airport from the west in his Cessna Skylane, N828JT (the N-number’s been changed to ensure Jim’s anonymity).

“I called the tower for landing instructions and after telling me to plan a right base to Runway 23, the controller called traffic about three miles away,” Jim related. “I was looking for the other airplane when I heard someone call in, ‘I have the target in sight. I’m armed and shooting down Eight Two Eight Juliet Tango.’ That scared me! I didn’t know what to think.”