| Talking to the Tower (from Vol 1, No. 4) |
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Here are some conversations that airline passengers normally will never hear. The following are accounts of actual exchanges between airline pilots and control towers around the world: Tower: Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles. Delta 351: Give us another hint. We have digital watches.
Tower: TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees. TWA 2341: Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here? Tower: Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?
A student became lost during a solo cross-country flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, ATC asked, "What was your last known position?" The student replied honestly: "When I was number one for take-off."
A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll-out after touching down. San Jose Tower told the pilot: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadalupe exit off of Highway 101, make a right at the light, and return to the airport."
From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long take-off queue: I'm f-ing bored! Ground Traffic Control: Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately! Unknown aircraft: I said I'm f-ing bored, not f-ing stupid!
O'Hare Approach Control to a 747: United 329 heavy, your traffic is a Fokker, one o'clock, three miles, Eastbound. United 329: Approach... I've always wanted to say this... I've got the little Fokker in sight! |



