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Busy Day at Nellis AFB Tower recording
Rapid-fire military ATC managing multiple fighter jet arrivals and overhead breaks at Nellis Air Force Base.
Summary
This recording captures the intense pace of the Nellis Air Force Base tower during a period of high traffic volume. Controllers manage a constant stream of fighter jets, including F-15s and F-16s, using military-specific procedures like overhead breaks. The transcript demonstrates the precision required to coordinate multiple arrivals on parallel runways 21L and 21R.
Analysis
Nellis Air Force Base, known as the "Home of the Fighter Pilot," is one of the busiest military airfields in the world, particularly during large-scale exercises like Red Flag. This recording captures a "recovery" phase, where multiple flights (Demon, Tahoe, Ness, Puma, and others) return to the base simultaneously after a mission. The sheer volume of traffic requires the tower controller to maintain a rapid, rhythmic cadence to prevent the pattern from becoming saturated.
Aviation enthusiasts will note the frequent use of the "overhead break" procedure. Unlike civilian aircraft that fly long rectangular patterns, military jets often fly over the runway at high speed ("initial") and then perform a high-G 180-degree turn (the "break") to bleed off airspeed and transition to the landing configuration. This allows a four-ship flight of jets to land much more quickly than a standard civilian approach would allow.
The controller's skill is evident in how they juggle two parallel runways (21 Left and 21 Right) while integrating different aircraft types. The mention of a "Boeing 10" (referring to a KC-10 Extender tanker) adds complexity, as the controller must sequence fast-moving fighters around a much larger, slower heavy aircraft. This involves constant adjustments, such as switching a pilot's assigned runway at the last moment or warning pilots about traffic they are overtaking.
Technical shorthand like "gears down, stop right" is used throughout. This is a mandatory safety check where the pilot confirms their landing gear is locked and indicates which side of the runway they intend to "stop" on or exit from. The recording serves as an excellent example of the high-tempo, high-stakes environment of military tactical air traffic control, where professional efficiency is the only way to manage such high density.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
NESS 22
Ness 22, 5 miles, final for initial.
NESS 22
Ness 22, five miles out, on the final stretch toward the start of the landing pattern.
TOWER
Ness 22, runway 21 right, wind 170 at 10, cleared to land.
TOWER
Ness 22, you’re cleared to land on the right-hand runway 21. Wind is 10 knots from the south.
NESS 22
Cleared to land, runway 21 right, Ness 22.
NESS 22
Cleared to land on the right runway 21, Ness 22.
PUMA 21
Puma 21, initial.
PUMA 21
Puma 21, reaching the start of the landing pattern.
TOWER
Puma 21, runway 21 right, wind 170 at 11, cleared to land.
TOWER
Puma 21, you’re cleared to land on the right runway 21. Wind is 11 knots from the south.
PUMA 21
21 right, cleared to land.
PUMA 21
Right runway 21, cleared to land.
DUSTY 21
Dusty 21, initial right.
DUSTY 21
Dusty 21, entering the pattern for the right-hand side.
TOWER
Dusty 21, runway 21 left, wind 170 at 10.
TOWER
Dusty 21, you'll be using the left runway 21. Wind is 10 knots from the south.
APEX 11
21 left, Apex 11.
APEX 11
Left runway 21, Apex 11.
SOUTH 21
South 21, 21 right.
SOUTH 21
South 21, lining up for the right runway 21.
TOWER
South 21, runway 21 left, wind 190 at 11, cleared to land.
TOWER
South 21, use the left runway 21. Wind is 11 knots from the south, and you're cleared to land.
SOUTH 21
Cleared to land runway 21 left, South 21.
SOUTH 21
Cleared to land on the left runway 21, South 21.
DEMON 01
Demon 01, 4 miles to Apex.
DEMON 01
Demon 01, four miles away from the Apex checkpoint.
TOWER
Demon 01, Tahoe 32 is 6 miles from Apex, straight in.
TOWER
Demon 01, be advised Tahoe 32 is six miles from that checkpoint, flying a straight-in approach.
TOWER
Demon 01, Roger. 2.5 mile final, runway 21 left.
TOWER
Demon 01, copy that. You're two and a half miles from the runway on your final approach for the left side.
APEX
Roger.
APEX
Apex here, I understand.
PUMA 21
Puma 21, right break, runway 21 right.
PUMA 21
This is Puma 21, I'm making a sharp right turn to enter the landing pattern for the right-side runway.
TOWER
Right break.
TOWER
Tower here, go ahead with that sharp right turn.
TOWER
Puma 18, runway 21 left, wind 190 at 10, cleared to land.
TOWER
Puma 18, you are cleared to land on the left runway. The wind is coming from the south at 10 knots.
PUMA 18
21 left, cleared to land.
PUMA 18
Left runway, cleared to land, Puma 18.
TOWER
Heavy left turn at the end, contact ground 121.8.
TOWER
Make a sharp left turn at the end of the runway, then switch over to the ground controllers on frequency 121.8.
TOWER
South 21, runway 21 left, wind 160 at 10, cleared to land.
TOWER
South 21, you're cleared to land on the left runway. Wind is 10 knots out of the southeast.
SOUTH 21
Cleared to land 21 left, South 21-35.
SOUTH 21
Cleared to land on the left runway, South 21-35.
TOWER
South 22, runway 21 left, wind 150 at 10, cleared to land. Traffic is a Boeing 10, 4 miles final, runway 21 left.
TOWER
South 22, you're cleared to land on the left runway. Be advised there's a Boeing 10 about four miles out on its final approach to that same runway.
SOUTH 22
Cleared to land 21 left, South 22.
SOUTH 22
Got it, cleared to land on the left runway, South 22.
TOWER
Puma 3, runway 21 left—negative, runway 21 right, cleared to land. South 28, runway 21 left.
TOWER
Puma 3, use the left runway—actually, change that, use the right runway, you're cleared to land. South 28, you're for the left runway.
APEX
Roger.
APEX
Apex copies that.
DEMON 01
Demon 01, Tower, traffic over the numbers is a Boeing 10.
DEMON 01
Demon 01, this is the Tower. There's a Boeing 10 right over the start of the runway.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, 2.5 mile final, runway 21 left.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, you're on your final approach, two and a half miles out from the left runway.
TAHOE 32
Gears down, stop right.
TAHOE 32
Landing gear is down and locked, and I'll be turning off to the right after I land.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, runway 21 right, wind 170 at 9, cleared to land.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, you're cleared to land on the right-hand runway 21. The wind is coming from the south at 9 knots.
TAHOE 32
Cleared to land right, Tahoe 32.
TAHOE 32
Tahoe 32, cleared to land on the right runway.
PUMA
Puma, 3 miles, Roger. Will be overtaking you for a right break, runway 21 right, for the F-16.
PUMA
Puma here, 3 miles out, copy that. I'll be passing you to perform a sharp right-hand turn into the landing pattern for the right runway, to make way for the F-16.
DEMON 02
Demon 02, 10 miles initial.
DEMON 02
Demon 02, I'm 10 miles out at the starting point for the landing approach.
TOWER
Demon 02, Roger, right break, runway 21 right.
TOWER
Demon 02, understood. Make your sharp right turn to line up for the right runway 21.
TOWER
Ness 21, wind 180 at 6, cleared to land. Traffic overtaking you is 2 F-16s, 1 mile on final.
TOWER
Ness 21, the wind is 6 knots from the south, you're cleared to land. Just a heads up, two F-16s are passing you only a mile away on their final approach.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, hold short runway 21 left.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, stop and stay clear of the left-hand runway 21.
TAHOE 32
Hold short.
TAHOE 32
Staying clear of the runway.
TOWER
Demon 01, right break, runway 21 right.
TOWER
Demon 01, make your sharp right turn to line up for the right runway 21.
DEMON 01
Right break.
DEMON 01
Starting the right turn now.
DEMON 02
Right break, runway 21 right.
DEMON 02
Sharp right turn for the right-side runway 21.
DEMON 02
Right for the right.
DEMON 02
Turning right for the right runway.
TOWER
Boeing 10, gear down, stop right. Boeing 10, another final in sight.
TOWER
Boeing 10, make sure your wheels are down and plan to stop on the right side of the runway. Boeing 10, I've got another plane on final approach in sight.
TOWER
Roger, runway 21 right, wind 190 at 4, cleared to land.
TOWER
Understood, you're cleared to land on the right runway 21. The wind is light at 4 knots from the south.
PILOT
Cleared to land right.
PILOT
Cleared to land on the right, copy that.
TAHOE 32
Tahoe 32, 10 miles initial.
TAHOE 32
Tahoe 32, we're ten miles out from the start of our landing approach.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, Roger, right break, runway 21 right.
TOWER
Tahoe 32, copy that, make a sharp right turn into the pattern for the right-side runway.
TAHOE 32
Right break.
TAHOE 32
Making the sharp right turn now.
TOWER
Demon 01, cross runway 21 left, hold short 21 right.
TOWER
Demon 01, go ahead and cross the left runway, but stop and wait before you reach the right-side one.
TOWER
Demon 3, right break for initial.
TOWER
Demon 3, make a sharp right turn to start your approach to the field.
TOWER
Demon 01, runway 21 right, right break for the right.
TOWER
Demon 01, you're using the right runway, so make a sharp right turn to get in line for that side.
TAHOE 15
Tahoe 15, just past Apex, initial down.
TAHOE 15
Tahoe 15, we just passed the Apex landmark and we're heading down to start our approach.
TOWER
Tahoe 15, runway 21 right, wind 170 at 7, cleared to land.
TOWER
Tahoe 15, you're clear to land on the right runway; the wind is coming from the south at seven knots.
TAHOE 15
21 right, cleared to land.
TAHOE 15
Clear to land on the right runway.
PILOT
North of Apex.
PILOT
We're just north of the Apex landmark now.
TOWER
Roger, right break, runway 21 right.
TOWER
Got it, make a sharp right turn to line up for the right-side runway.
TOWER
Runway 21 right, wind 190 at 8, cleared to land, Apex.
TOWER
Apex, you're clear to land on the right runway; the wind is from the south at eight knots.
APEX
Cleared to land.
APEX
Clear to land.
TAHOE 15
Single F-15 on the go at this time, making right crosswind.
TAHOE 15
Tahoe 15 here, there's a lone F-15 taking off right now and turning right across the wind.
TOWER
Ness, gears down, stop right. Runway 21 right, wind 180 at 10, cleared to land.
TOWER
Ness, make sure your wheels are down and plan to stop on the right side; you're clear to land on the right runway with a ten-knot wind.
NESS
Ness, following F-15, right base.
NESS
Ness here, we’re following that F-15 fighter jet on our final right-hand turn toward the runway.
TOWER
Roger, you're following an F-15.
TOWER
Got it, you've got that F-15 in sight ahead of you.
NESS
Copy.
NESS
Understood.
NESS 18
Ness 18, 5 miles, Roger. Following the Boeing 10, right base down.
NESS 18
This is Ness 18, five miles out. We see the big Boeing tanker ahead and we're turning onto our right-hand approach leg.
NESS 18
Roger, following the Boeing 10.
NESS 18
Copy that, keeping our eyes on the Boeing.
TOWER
Demon 01, cross runway 21 left, hold short 21 right.
TOWER
Demon 01, go ahead and drive across the left runway, but stop and wait before you reach the right one.
DEMON 01
Cross runway 21 left, hold short 21 right.
DEMON 01
Crossing the left runway now and stopping just before the right one.
TOWER
Demon 01, runway 21 right, landing traffic.
TOWER
Demon 01, stay put at that runway; there’s a plane coming in to land right now.
TOWER
Ness 19, runway 21 right, wind 200 at 11, cleared to land.
TOWER
Ness 19, you're all set to land on the right runway. The wind is coming from the southwest at eleven knots.
NESS 19
Cleared to land 21 right.
NESS 19
Roger, we're coming in to land on the right runway.
PILOT
21 base, gear down, stop right.
PILOT
Turning onto our final approach for runway 21, the wheels are down, and we're coming to a full stop.
TOWER
Runway 21 right, wind 200 at 10, cleared to land.
TOWER
You're cleared to land on the right runway; the wind is steady from the southwest at ten knots.
PILOT
Cleared to land.
PILOT
Understood, we're landing.
DEMON 14
Demon 14, north initial.
DEMON 14
Demon 14 here, arriving at the northern entry point for the airfield.
TOWER
Roger, right break, runway 21 right.
TOWER
Copy that, make your sharp right turn into the landing pattern for the right runway.
DEMON 14
21 right for the break.
DEMON 14
I'm lining up for runway 21 right to perform the overhead break maneuver.
TOWER
Ness 21, Roger.
TOWER
Ness 21, I've got you.
TOWER
10 miles from Apex, runway 21 right, cleared to land, wind 220 at 10.
TOWER
You're 10 miles from the Apex waypoint; you are cleared to land on runway 21 right. Wind is from the southwest at 10 knots.
NESS 21
Roger.
NESS 21
Understood.
TAHOE 12
Tahoe 12, 10 miles northeast.
TAHOE 12
This is Tahoe 12, we're 10 miles out to the northeast.
TOWER
Roger, left break, 21 right.
TOWER
Got it, make a left-hand break maneuver for runway 21 right.
TOWER
Runway 21 right, wind 190 at 12, cleared to land.
TOWER
Runway 21 right, wind is from the south at 12 knots, you're cleared to land.
APEX
Apex.
APEX
Passing the Apex waypoint now.
DEMON 01
Demon 01, Apex, left break, 21 left.
DEMON 01
Demon 01 is at Apex, starting a left-hand break maneuver for runway 21 left.
DEMON 01
21 left.
DEMON 01
Heading for 21 left.
TOWER
Ness 22, gears down, stop right. Runway 21 right, wind 190 at 12, cleared to land.
TOWER
Ness 22, confirm your landing gear is down and plan for a full stop on the right. Runway 21 right, wind is south at 12 knots, you're clear to land.
NESS 22
Cleared to land right, Ness 22.
NESS 22
Authorized to land on the right runway, Ness 22.
TOWER
Demon 12, traffic is Tahoe.
TOWER
Demon 12, keep an eye on that Tahoe aircraft nearby.
DEMON 12
Copy.
DEMON 12
Copy that, I see them.
PUMA 03
Puma 3, Alpha to the north, inbound for initial.
PUMA 03
Puma 3 is at point Alpha to the north, heading in to start the overhead landing pattern.
TOWER
Roger, right break, 21 right.
TOWER
Got it, go ahead with that right-hand overhead turn for the right-side runway.
PUMA 03
Right break.
PUMA 03
Starting the right turn now.
TOWER
Ness 21, runway 21 right, cleared to land.
TOWER
Ness 21, you're all set to land on the right-side runway.
NESS 21
Cleared to land.
NESS 21
Authorized to land, thank you.
TOWER
Puma 11, cross runway 21 left.
TOWER
Puma 11, you're clear to cross over the left-side runway.
PUMA 11
Puma 11, Roger.
PUMA 11
Puma 11, understood.
TOWER
Ness 21, can you make a right break? Climb to 3,500 for runway 21 right.
TOWER
Ness 21, can you pull into a right-hand overhead turn? Climb up to 3,500 feet to line up for the right-side runway.
NESS 21
Do you want us to do the overhead right break at 3.5 for the 21 right? One will comply.
NESS 21
Just to confirm, you want us to do that right-hand turn at 3,500 feet for the right runway? We’ll make it happen.
NESS 21
Will comply.
NESS 21
We're on it.
TOWER
Demon 2, runway 21 left, wind 200 at 15, cleared to land.
TOWER
Demon 2, the wind is coming from the southwest at 15 knots; you're clear to land on the left-side runway.
DEMON 02
Cleared to land 21 left, Demon 02.
DEMON 02
Authorized to land on the left runway, Demon 02.
TOWER
Heavy 21, you're cleared to cross runway 21 right.
TOWER
Heavy 21, you're all clear to cross over the right-side runway.
HEAVY 21
Thank you very much. Contact ground, have a good day.
HEAVY 21
Thanks a lot. Switching over to the ground controllers now, have a great day.
TOWER
Heavy F-18, right turn at Bravo, taxi west. Runway 21 right, wind 170 at 6, cleared to land.
TOWER
Large F-18, take a right at taxiway Bravo and head west once you're down. Wind is light at 6 knots; you're clear to land on the right runway.
HEAVY F-18
Runway 21 right, cleared to land.
HEAVY F-18
Landing on the right-side runway, copy that.
TOWER
Right base, runway 21 right, cleared to land.
TOWER
Make your right-hand turn toward the right runway; you are cleared to land.
PILOT
Roger.
PILOT
Understood.
NESS 21
Overhead right break, will comply.
NESS 21
I'll perform the high-speed overhead turn to the right as requested.
TOWER
Ness 21, Roger, right break, runway 21 right. Tahoe 12 now one mile initial.
TOWER
Ness 21, copy that, right-hand turn for the right runway. Tahoe 12, you're now one mile from the start of your approach.
NESS 21
21 right, overhead break, Ness 21.
NESS 21
Right runway, overhead turn, Ness 21.
TOWER
Demon 3, cross runway 21 right at Bravo, hold short of Foxtrot taxiway.
TOWER
Demon 3, cross over the right runway at taxiway Bravo, then stop before you reach taxiway Foxtrot.
TOWER
Tahoe 12, turn final, short base, runway 21 right.
TOWER
Tahoe 12, make a tight turn now to line up with the right-hand runway.
TAHOE 12
21 right.
TAHOE 12
Right runway.
TOWER
Tahoe 12, you're going to land on runway 21 left. Gears down, wind 150 at 13, cleared to land runway 21 left.
TOWER
Tahoe 12, actually, land on the left runway instead. Get your wheels down; wind is 13 knots from the southeast. You're cleared to land on the left runway.
TAHOE 12
21 base, gear stop. Roger, Tahoe 12, right base for runway 21 left, corrections, 21 left.
TAHOE 12
Turning for the left runway, landing gear is down. Got it, Tahoe 12, making the right-hand turn for the left runway—correction, the left runway.
DEMON 14
Demon 14, 5 miles to the northeast.
DEMON 14
Demon 14 here, five miles out to the northeast.
TOWER
Roger. Wind 180 at 10.
TOWER
Copy. Wind is from the south at 10 knots.
TOWER
Ness 21, runway 21 right, wind 180 at 10, cleared for the low pass.
TOWER
Ness 21, use the right runway, wind is from the south at 10. You're cleared to fly low over the runway without touching down.
NESS 21
Cleared for low pass.
NESS 21
Cleared for the low flyby.
NESS 21
Low pass.
NESS 21
Starting the low pass.
TOWER
Ness 24, same instructions, runway 21 right, cleared to land.
TOWER
Ness 24, follow the same instructions as before, you are cleared to land on the right-side runway.
NESS 24
Cleared to land, runway 21 right.
NESS 24
We're authorized to land on the right-side runway, Ness 24.
TOWER
Ness 21, make right turn at Alpha, taxi via Bravo.
TOWER
Ness 21, turn right at the Alpha intersection and follow taxiway Bravo.
NESS 21
Bravo, Ness 21.
NESS 21
Heading onto Bravo, Ness 21.
PILOT
Gear down, stop right.
PILOT
Landing gear is down, stopping on the right.
TAHOE 15
Tahoe 15, right base, right downwind for 21 left at this time.
TAHOE 15
Tahoe 15, we're currently on the final turn and the parallel leg of our approach for the left-side runway.
TOWER
Roger.
TOWER
Understood.
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