On The Air: July 2014

While transitioning Salt Lake airportss Bravo airspace, we overheard an exchange between the controller and a pilot unfamiliar with the area. The pilot was having trouble understanding a routing change. Finally the controller said, That is Baldy intersection, Bravo Alpha Lima Delta Yankee. It is named after my supervisor.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article presents various humorous and quirky anecdotes from the aviation world, showcasing memorable exchanges between pilots and air traffic controllers.
Navigation fixes and waypoints can be surprisingly personalized, with names referencing individuals (like supervisors or athletes) or popular culture.
These stories highlight the human element in aviation communication, from pilots' misunderstandings to controllers' playful banter, bloopers, and creative problem-solving.

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While transitioning Salt Lake airports’s Bravo airspace, we overheard an exchange between the controller and a pilot unfamiliar with the area. The pilot was having trouble understanding a routing change. Finally the controller said, “That is Baldy intersection, Bravo Alpha Lima Delta Yankee. It is named after my supervisor.”
All was quiet after that.

H.C. Gibson
Colorado Springs, Colo.