For your August OTA I sent you the photo (repeated here) of the Gulfstream that was towed to parking, but the ground crew neglected to set the chocks. Subsequently, it rolled into the Challenger behind it.
I thought you might like to know the outcome. The Gulfstream has been repaired and is flying. The Challenger’s pressure vessel was penetrated in a way and in a location that there’s no approved fix. The airplane is scrapped.
Moral: Always chock your airplane. Oh, and make sure you’ve got good insurance.
—Peter Ingram, Kerrville, Texas
My wife was flying and I was working the radios as we departed South Alabama Regional Airport flying home to Colorado. ATC called us with the following:
“Centurion xxxx, you have two C-20s at six o’clock and closing. They will pass 1000 feet below you.”
I replied: “I’ll let the tail gunner know.”
Lead pilot of the C-20 came on frequency: “Be sure to tell him we’re friendly!”
—Drew Chitiea, Centennial, Colorado
One day we were flying along in the Northeast on an airway that we often took to our destination. Usually we would get a “direct XXXXX, left turn to a fix YYYY (near our destination)” shortly after checking in with the facility near our destination. This would result in a 50-degree left turn. On this day, we instead got a 40-degree vector to the right.
The cockpit crew wasn’t clear on why but figured we would let it ride for a while. That became something like 20 miles when Approach asked us to turn 10 degrees right, still well right of our airway cleared route. We complied, as we wondered what was going on.
About a minute later, ATC gave the long-expected “direct XXXXX” instruction, saying that they had been looking at the wrong flight plan.
We read back, “Mooney XYZ, left direct XXXXX. At least you’re an honest man.”
Laughter on the frequency was the ATC response.
—Scott Dyer , Pleasantville, New York
I was flying IFR north of Toronto a year or so ago on a VFR day and talking on Center frequency when I heard the following exchange.
Toronto highway traffic is known to be bad, and it can be particularly bad during the afternoon rush hour, which this was.
ATC: “Air Canada xyz, expect Runway 23.”
Air Canada xyz: “Roger, Runway 23 (without a pause) aw crap!”
ATC: “Air Canada xyz, is there a problem?”
Air Canada xyz: “Sorry about that. No … uh yes, I just saw the traffic getting to my driveway and it’s a killer!”
ATC (wryly): “Roger, sounds like you need a longer driveway…”
—Name withheld by request
Saw this in Barnstormers issue 854. Be sure to read to the end, that feature alone should double the value of the property:
“DIRECT TAXIWAY LAND AVAILABLE! • CHECK THIS OUT • Direct Runway Land is Available! The Landings Airpark at Pecan Plantation is a spectacular setting for the aviation enthusiast who desires the convenience of fly-in living. Features include a 3,100 foot paved runway, concrete taxiways, and a self-serve fuel station at the southeast end of the runway. Runway frontage and taxiway access land from .65 acres to 1.9 acres. Lots … come with paved roads, electric, water, and sewer service. There is no time limit to build hangars. FAA Identifier – 66TE; Runway-17-3,100’ x 50’ asphalt; Taxiways Concrete; Elevation – 684 (est); Unicorn – 122.975.”
—Terri Griffith, Point Roberts, Washington
We scrape the bottom of the barrel every month. Please send us your cleverest or most embarrassing moment on the radio—or your favorite fix names or airport names—with a subject of “OTA,” to Frank@IFR-Magazine.com. Be sure to include your full name and location.
