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Justin Bieber Interference

A pilot reports unusual radio interference sounding like a child singing Justin Bieber on tower frequency.

2010-07-10 Travis Air Force Base (KSUU), Fairfield, California

Summary

A Boeing 481 Heavy, operating near Travis Air Force Base, reports heavy radio interference to the approach controller. The pilot describes the interference as a child singing Justin Bieber, which leads to a humorous exchange between the aircrew and air traffic control. Despite the auditory distraction, the aircraft successfully completes its ILS approach and lands safely.

Analysis

The incident takes place in the airspace surrounding Travis Air Force Base (KSUU) in California. The callsign "481 Heavy" and the mention of the Travis TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) suggest a large military aircraft, likely a C-5 Galaxy or KC-10 Extender, both of which are common at this installation. The recording begins with the aircraft on a missed approach or a "go-around," as the controller provides vectors to return to Sacramento for another attempt at the ILS (Instrument Landing System) approach.

The highlight of the exchange occurs when the pilot reports "pretty heavy interference" on the tower frequency. Radio interference in aviation is usually characterized by static, "stepping" (two people talking at once), or a "stuck mic" (an open transmitter). However, in this instance, the pilot identifies a very specific source: "a small child singing Justin Bieber." This is particularly notable because the pilot mentions the "uniform" frequency, referring to UHF (Ultra High Frequency), which is primarily used by military aircraft and is generally less susceptible to civilian radio bleed-through than the standard VHF (Very High Frequency) band.

The situation remains professional but lighthearted. Another pilot on the frequency jokingly clarifies that they are not the one singing, and the controller acknowledges the report, promising to pass the information to the tower. This type of interference can be caused by "pirate" radio transmissions, high-powered baby monitors, or electronic malfunctions in consumer devices that inadvertently broadcast on protected aviation frequencies.

The recording concludes with the aircraft landing safely on Runway 21 Right. As the pilot signs off, the controller joins in on the humor, joking that they will "try not to sing next time." While the event had no impact on flight safety, it serves as a classic example of the unexpected and often bizarre nature of radio communications in high-stress environments.

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Original ATC Communication

Plain English Translation

ATC
481 Heavy, you're on the go. Maintain 5,000. State your intentions.
ATC
481, you’re aborting the landing and going back up. Stay at 5,000 feet. What’s your plan?
BOEING 481 HEAVY
I'd like to take it back to Sacramento and try it again, please.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
I’d like to head back toward Sacramento and try to land again, please.
ATC
481 Heavy, Roger. Identify. Radar contact two miles south of Travis TACAN at 2,300.
ATC
Copy that, 481. I see you on my radar now, two miles south of the Travis navigation beacon at 2,300 feet.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Arrival from 481, we're picking up some pretty heavy interference on the tower frequency. It sounds like a small child singing Justin Bieber.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Approach control, this is 481. We’re hearing some major interference on the tower’s radio channel. It sounds like a little kid singing Justin Bieber.
ATC
481 Heavy, Roger. I'll pass that on to the tower. Turn right, heading 360. State your approach request.
ATC
Got it, 481. I’ll let the tower controllers know. Turn right to face due north and let me know what kind of landing guidance you need.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Sacramento for the ILS. Right heading 360, 481.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
We'll take the instrument landing system into Sacramento. Turning right to north, 481.
OTHER PILOT
I'd like to point out I'm not the one who identifies as the singer.
OTHER PILOT
Just for the record, I’m definitely not the one doing the singing.
ATC
Roger. So you're going to stick with it?
ATC
Understood. So you’re going to stick with the plan?
BOEING 481 HEAVY
I don't hear any singing going on up there. We're still picking it up intermittently on the uniform tower frequency.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
I don’t hear any singing on this channel, but we’re still picking it up every now and then on the tower’s main radio frequency.
ATC
Roger, we'll try the vectors this time around. 481 Heavy, turn right heading 030. Vectors for ILS 21 Right approach.
ATC
Copy, we’ll give you steering directions this time. 481, turn right to heading 030. I’m guiding you toward the instrument landing for runway 21 Right.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Right heading 030, 481.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Turning right to heading 030, 481.
ATC
481 Heavy, descend and maintain 2,000.
ATC
481, fly down and stay at 2,000 feet.
ATC
481 Heavy, turn right heading 090.
ATC
481, turn right to face due east.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
090, 481.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Heading east, 481.
ATC
481 Heavy, turn right heading 120.
ATC
481, turn right to heading 120.
ATC
481 Heavy, about six miles from the final approach fix, turn right heading 180. Maintain 2,000 until established on the localizer. Cleared for the ILS runway 21 Right approach.
ATC
Big flight 481, you’re about six miles from the final descent point, turn right to heading 180. Stay at 2,000 feet until you’ve caught the guidance beam. You're cleared for the instrument approach to runway 21 Right.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
2,000 until established on the localizer. Cleared for the ILS runway 21 Right, 481. Established on the localizer.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Staying at 2,000 until we’re locked onto the beam. Cleared for the instrument approach on 21 Right, 481. We are now locked onto the guidance beam.
ATC
481 Heavy, contact tower. Have a nice afternoon.
ATC
481 Heavy, switch over and talk to the tower now. Have a nice afternoon.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Tower, 481 Heavy. Eleven point eight DME, ILS 21 Right, gear down.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Tower, this is 481 Heavy. We’re 11.8 miles out on the instrument approach for 21 Right, and our landing gear is down.
ATC
481 Heavy, Travis Tower. Runway 21 Right, wind 220 at 16, gusting 23. Cleared to land.
ATC
481 Heavy, this is Travis Tower. For runway 21 Right, the wind is coming from the southwest at 16 knots, with gusts up to 23. You are cleared to land.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Cleared to land runway 21 Right, 481.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Cleared to land on runway 21 Right, 481.
ATC
Runway 21 Right, wind 230 at 16.
ATC
For runway 21 Right, the wind is now 230 degrees at 16 knots.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
481 Heavy, final approach fix, gear down, full stop, 21 Right.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
481 Heavy, we’re at the final approach point, landing gear is down, and we're coming to a full stop on 21 Right.
ATC
481 Heavy, Roger. Wind 220 at 16.
ATC
481 Heavy, understood. Wind is 220 at 16 knots.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Tower, say wind please.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Tower, can you give me that wind reading one more time, please?
ATC
Runway 21 Right, wind 220 at 17.
ATC
For runway 21 Right, the wind is 220 degrees at 17 knots.
ATC
481 Heavy, turn right when able. Contact ground when off the runway.
ATC
481 Heavy, turn right as soon as you’re able. Contact the ground controllers once you’ve moved off the runway.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Will go to ground when off, 481—and no singing this time.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
We'll talk to ground once we're clear, 481—and hey, no singing this time!
ATC
I'll try not to sing next time.
ATC
I'll do my best to keep the singing to a minimum next time.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Copy that.
BOEING 481 HEAVY
Sounds good.
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