On the Air: October 2021

IFR Staff

Monday, October 04, 2021 at 04:43 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

During a severe Texas freeze, a pilot experienced an exceptionally quiet ATC, allowing him to receive an otherwise impossible direct flight clearance.
Another pilot enjoyed a rare aerial perspective of Canada's Snowbirds aerobatic team performing a dramatic vertical climb through a cloud deck.
A 16-year-old student pilot caused multiple runway incursions due to misunderstanding "progressive instructions," eventually turning off his radio and flying away to escape the predicament.

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There are many stories about the horrible freeze we had in Texas this year, but I think this one of the funniest.

I planned a flight to McAllen, TX, from the Lago Vista Rusty Allen Airport in the Austin area, and the runway was frozen over and covered with snow. Having grown up in North Dakota, I was, of course, undeterred. I pushed my Viking through the muck and was off. There was a low stratus layer at 3000 feet. so I called Austin Approach for a pop-up clearance. I dialed in the frequency and heard nothing. I waited a few moments then said, “Austin Approach, November 5l Lima Hotel.”