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On The Air: July 2021

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot recounts the memorable experience of passing his IFR checkride and unexpectedly receiving congratulations from his instructor over the radio.
  • An MU-2 pilot describes encountering severe turbulence during a challenging landing approach, humorously downplaying the difficulty after safely landing.
  • An air traffic controller injects humor into a radio exchange by playfully telling an eager student pilot to hold for 30 minutes while the tower staff finished breakfast.
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I rarely clog the radio frequency with unimportant chatter, but this was a very special day. It was March 19, 2015 when I completed my IFR checkride successfully. I was filled with excitement and gratitude as I reflected on hours of study and flight training with a fantastic instructor who, in the process, became a good friend. It was an extremely rewarding experience!

On the flight back after my checkride, the frequency at my home base, Solberg-Hunterdon Airport, was silent. I flew the standard pattern announcing my position as usual, until turning final when I pressed the mic and proudly said, ‘’Solberg traffic, Skyhawk turning final 22, Solberg. And you’re listening to someone who just passed his IFR check ride.”

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