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On The Air: September 2022

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots experienced humorous exchanges with air traffic control, often stemming from playful banter, unexpected wit, or lighthearted misunderstandings of terminology.
  • Anecdotes highlighted the human element in aviation communication, with controllers demonstrating courtesy, self-awareness, or even rating a pilot's joke.
  • Situations ranged from encountering unexpected operational limitations (e.g., weekend tower closures at a Space Force Base) to humorous acknowledgments of complex flight requests.
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As a CFI, I recently had the opportunity to attend a Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program at KSMX, Santa Maria airport, up the coast from Los Angeles. We were told that we could do approaches—but no landings or touch and goes—at nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base (KVBG). We thought this would be a great opportunity.

Once airborne, we called Santa Barbara Approach, the controlling agency. Nope, no approaches on weekends at the Space Force Base because the tower is closed on weekends.

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