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View Full Version : New York airport jets 'directed by child'


Harley Quinn
March 3rd, 2010, 02:46 PM
i found this rather weird...


US officials are investigating how a child was apparently allowed to direct planes at New York's JFK airport - one of the country's busiest.

The probe comes after an audiotape caught the boy directing several pilots preparing for take-off last month.

In one exchange, the boy is heard saying: "JetBlue 171 contact departure." The pilot responds: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job."

The boy was apparently with his father - a certified air traffic controller.

The adult is later heard saying with a laugh: "That's what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school."

In another exchange, the child says: "MS 4-0-3, contact departure," and then adds: "Adios, amigo."

The pilot responds: "Adios, amigo."

The pilots on the tape appear to be not concerned that a child is giving them instructions.

The incident happened on 17 February, when many New York pupils were on a week-long break.

The age and name of the child and the adult on the audiotape were not immediately known.

Click Here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8547875.stm) for more

Stevo 69
March 3rd, 2010, 03:00 PM
I saw this on the news, its crazy that a kid was allowed to guide planes around

Iron Man
March 3rd, 2010, 03:37 PM
Weird, I just heard about that this morning. But I wonder how a child knew the callsigns, aside from his father.

Kaius
March 3rd, 2010, 03:53 PM
Now thats just incompetence

Malcolm Tucker
March 3rd, 2010, 03:59 PM
Ridiculous...ATC incompetence like this has caused at least 2 other serious disasters - the Delta Kentucky crash comes to mind - and is ridiculous...

The FAA should fire and prosecute the controller(s) who allowed that minor to give transition clearance to those two flights...

Commander Thor
March 3rd, 2010, 04:14 PM
If his father, a certified air traffic controller, was there with the kid, then I see no problems with this at all.
His father was obviously watching the kid, as he was doing it.

Not like he just said "Here you go son, I'm going to take a leak".

Malcolm Tucker
March 3rd, 2010, 04:18 PM
Even so, it is HIGHLY irresponsible and dangerous to do that!

badash
March 3rd, 2010, 05:53 PM
I dont see the big deal. his dad was most likely standing there telling him what to say as he connected them to the plane. If he made a mistake his dad could have easily taken over and corrected him with no damage done. Its not like theyre making split second decisions that if they mess up they all die

Hatsune Miku
March 3rd, 2010, 05:57 PM
Eh, Sounded like he knew what he was doing

I would have to say hes around 11. I play with little kids like this on xbox ( Annoying ) all the time

Kahn
March 3rd, 2010, 08:46 PM
I lawl'd.