On The Air: July 2018

I took off from Islesboro (an island off the coast of Maine) in a C-150. I was going south down the coast that took me through the Portland ATC area. I then realized that I was going to fly over Moodys Diner in Waldoboro. This diner was made famous by Maine comedians Bert and I, and again later by Tim Samples.

Editorial Staff

Friday, June 15, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Air traffic control (ATC) communications are often peppered with humor, wit, and unexpected exchanges between pilots and controllers.
Controllers frequently demonstrate remarkable patience, professionalism, and a deadpan sense of humor in response to pilot blunders, unique observations, or miscommunications.
Pilots contribute to these memorable moments through amusing reports, navigational mix-ups, or cultural remarks, often leading to a lighthearted atmosphere in the cockpit and tower.

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I took off from Islesboro (an island off the coast of Maine) in a C-150. I was going south down the coast that took me through the Portland ATC area. I then realized that I was going to fly over Moody’s Diner in Waldoboro. This diner was made famous by Maine comedians Bert and I, and again later by Tim Samples.

I called Portland Approach and advised them I would be flying through the Portland area and was over “Moody’s Diner.” The immediate response with a chuckle was, “Radar Contact. We all know exactly where you are. Come on through at 3000 feet.”