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shuttle at JFK comms
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
ATC
PD 14, 16, 15, subject aircraft is eight-mile final for 31 Left flyby.
ATC
Police units 14, 16, and 15, the plane we're watching is eight miles out on its final path for a low pass over the left runway.
NYPD PILOT
Roger.
NYPD PILOT
Understood.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Kennedy Tower, good morning. Bobik 15 Heavy is with you for the low approach.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Kennedy Tower, good morning. This is the shuttle carrier aircraft, Bobik 15, checking in for our low-altitude pass over the field.
ATC
Bobik 15 Heavy, Kennedy Tower, good morning. There are helicopters to the right of the runway. Runway 31 Left, you're cleared for low approach. After the low approach, you can have the left traffic for Runway 31 Left as well.
ATC
Good morning, Bobik 15. Just so you know, there are helicopters off to the right of the landing strip. You’re all set for your low pass on the left runway, and afterward, you can circle back around to the left for that same runway.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Copy that. Low approach via left traffic back around for full stop.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Got it. We’ll do the low pass, circle back around to the left, and then come in for a final landing.
ATC
Bobik 19, are you on frequency?
ATC
Bobik 19, are you listening on this radio channel?
CHASE PILOT
Affirmative.
CHASE PILOT
Yes, I'm here.
ATC
Okay, 31 Right will be the landing runway. If 31 Left becomes available, would you like that?
ATC
Okay, the right runway will be the one for landing. If the left runway becomes available, would you prefer to use that instead?
CHASE PILOT
Affirmative.
CHASE PILOT
That’s correct.
ATC
Okay, I'll let you know as you come back around.
ATC
Okay, I'll give you an update as you circle back around.
CHASE PILOT
Roger. And for us, we'll be doing both the low approach and the full stop at the end, and then going down there.
CHASE PILOT
Understood. We’re going to do a low practice pass over the runway first, then come back for a full landing at the end before heading over there.
ATC
And all PD helicopters, three-mile final for low approach. They'll be turning to the West to come back around for landing.
ATC
Attention all police helicopters: the planes are three miles out on their final approach for a low pass. They’ll be turning west to circle back for their actual landing.
NYPD PILOT
PD 15, Roger.
NYPD PILOT
Police 15, we copy that.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Bobik 15 Heavy's left closed, climbing to 1,500.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Bobik 15 Heavy is making a left turn to stay in the airport traffic pattern, climbing to 1,500 feet.
ATC
Bobik 15, Roger.
ATC
Bobik 15, understood.
ATC
Bobik 15, you are cleared to land Runway 31 Left. Wind 340 at 17.
ATC
Bobik 15, you have permission to land on the left-hand runway, 31. The wind is 17 knots coming from the northwest.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Cleared to land, Bobik 15 Heavy.
SHUTTLE PILOT
We're authorized to land, large aircraft Bobik 15.
NYPD PILOT
Kennedy, PD 14.
NYPD PILOT
Kennedy Tower, this is police helicopter 14.
ATC
PD 14.
ATC
Go ahead, PD 14.
NYPD PILOT
After the touchdown of the subject aircraft, when he's clear to the north of us, we'll take it direct back to Floyd.
NYPD PILOT
Once the plane we're following touches down and moves off to our north, we'll head straight back to Floyd Bennett Field.
ATC
PD 14, that'll be fine. I'll have that for you as soon as he's touched down. Just be advised, the T-38 with him will not be touching down at this time but coming back. In fact, you might want to just hold off for the T-38 because he's going to be fuel critical.
ATC
Copy that, PD 14, I'll get you moving as soon as he's on the ground. Just so you know, the T-38 jet escorting him isn't landing right now; he's coming back around. Actually, you might want to wait for that jet because he's running dangerously low on fuel and needs priority.
NYPD PILOT
Roger, PD 14.
NYPD PILOT
Understood, PD 14.
CIVILIAN PILOT
Kennedy Tower, Helicopter 206 Tango Delta.
CIVILIAN PILOT
Kennedy Tower, this is helicopter 206 Tango Delta.
ATC
Helicopter 206 Tango Delta, squawk 0302. Say the request.
ATC
Helicopter 206 Tango Delta, set your radar tracker to code 0302 so I can identify you. What can I do for you?
CIVILIAN PILOT
0302 for 6 Tango Delta. We're at Garden City. Any way we can get in? We've got a little photo mission. Can we come in the tracks out to maybe the Trips and get a look at the shuttle?
CIVILIAN PILOT
Setting our tracking code to 0302, this is 6 Tango Delta. We’re over Garden City. Is there any way we can get in there? We’re on a little photo mission. Can we follow the train tracks out toward the Triple Bridges to get a look at the shuttle?
ATC
You're too late because he's about to touch down here shortly. Radar contact eight hundred feet, ten miles to the Northeast of JFK.
ATC
You’re too late for that, because he’s about to touch down here in just a moment. I’ve got you on radar at eight hundred feet, ten miles northeast of JFK.
CIVILIAN PILOT
Okay, copy 6TD.
CIVILIAN PILOT
Okay, I copy that, 6 Tango Delta.
ATC
And 6 Tango Delta, say your request.
ATC
And 6 Tango Delta, what’s your new request?
CIVILIAN PILOT
We'll take the tracks—actually, negative. We're going to turn around, we're going to go to the beach. 6TD.
CIVILIAN PILOT
We’ll take the tracks—actually, never mind. We’re going to turn around and head toward the beach instead. 6 Tango Delta.
ATC
6 Tango Delta, Garden City radar service terminated. Squawk 1200, frequency change approved.
ATC
6 Tango Delta, radar tracking service is ending here at Garden City. Set your transponder to the standard civilian code and you’re cleared to change radio frequencies.
CIVILIAN PILOT
Sorry about that. Thanks for the help.
CIVILIAN PILOT
Sorry about that. Thanks for the help.
ATC
And Bobik 15, you do have traffic at 10 o'clock and three miles southbound, 800 feet, type unknown.
ATC
And Bobik 15, you’ve got another plane off to your front-left, three miles away and heading south at 800 feet; I’m not sure what type of aircraft it is.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Okay, we're looking for him. We're in the base turn for about a 10-and-a-half-mile final.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Alright, we're scanning the sky for him. We're turning onto our final approach now, about ten and a half miles out from the runway.
ATC
Bobik 15, thank you. You are cleared to land 31 Left.
ATC
Bobik 15, thank you. You're all set to land on runway 31 Left.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Cleared to land 31 Left, Bobik 15 Heavy.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Authorized to land on 31 Left, Bobik 15 Heavy.
ATC
And Bobik 15, the traffic's now 11 o'clock and two miles, 700 feet indicated.
ATC
And Bobik 15, that other plane is now just off your left side at two miles, showing seven hundred feet high.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Okay, we're still looking for him. Bobik 15 Heavy.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Copy that, we're still searching for him. Bobik 15 Heavy.
ATC
He's off your right front at about 1 o'clock.
ATC
He's just off your right side, straight ahead at your one o'clock.
SHUTTLE PILOT
In sight for Bobik 15 Heavy.
SHUTTLE PILOT
We've got him in sight now, Bobik 15 Heavy.
ATC
Bobik 15 Heavy, thank you.
ATC
Bobik 15 Heavy, thank you.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Tower, say winds, please.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Tower, what are the winds doing, please?
ATC
Wind 310 at 18. Wind 320 at 19.
ATC
The wind is coming from 310 degrees at 18 knots, and 320 degrees at 19 knots.
ATC
And Bobik 19, at your discretion you can enter left traffic for 31 Right. If 31 Left becomes available, I'll bring you to that runway.
ATC
And Bobik 19, whenever you're ready, you can start your approach pattern making left-hand turns for runway 31 Right. If the other runway, 31 Left, opens up, I’ll move you over to that one.
NYPD PILOT
PD 14.
NYPD PILOT
Police helicopter 14, copy that.
NYPD PILOT
We have your landing traffic in sight and the T-38 possibly behind him. Direct back to Floyd.
NYPD PILOT
We have the landing plane in sight and the T-38 jet possibly behind him. We're heading straight back to Floyd Bennett Field.
ATC
PD 14, cross Runway 31 Left, direct to Floyd. Just maintain visual with the T-38; he's going to be making a low approach, make left traffic.
ATC
Police 14, go ahead and cross over runway 31 Left and fly straight to Floyd. Just keep your eyes on that T-38; he’s going to be making a low pass and then circling to the left.
NYPD PILOT
Roger, visual with the T-38. And thank you for the work.
NYPD PILOT
Understood, we've got the T-38 in sight. And thanks for all your help today.
ATC
Thank you.
ATC
You're very welcome.
NYPD PILOT
Coolest thing ever.
NYPD PILOT
That was the coolest thing I've ever seen.
ATC
I bet.
ATC
I bet it was.
CHASE PILOT
Kennedy Tower, Bobik 19 turning downwind for full stop.
CHASE PILOT
Kennedy Tower, this is the escort plane Bobik 19 turning into the landing pattern to come in for a full stop.
ATC
Bobik 15, we'll be off at Papa Delta. Like I said, welcome to New York and thanks for the show.
ATC
Bobik 15, you'll exit the runway at taxiway Papa Delta. Like I said, welcome to New York and thanks for putting on such a great show.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Bobik 15, thanks. And like I said, thanks for the gift on the back of the plane. That's a really special treat for New York.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Bobik 15 here, thank you. And as I mentioned, thanks for the gift we’re carrying on the back of the plane; it’s a really special treat for New York.
ATC
And Bobik 15, if you do exit the runway you can contact Ground on 121.9. There'll be a follow-me car there for you and they'll take you to parking.
ATC
And Bobik 15, once you exit the runway, switch over to the ground controllers on frequency 121.9. There will be an escort vehicle waiting there to lead you to your parking spot.
ATC
And Bobik 19, you are cleared to land Runway 31 Right.
ATC
And Bobik 19, you are cleared to land on Runway 31 Right.
CHASE PILOT
31 Right, cleared to land, Bobik 19.
CHASE PILOT
Cleared to land on 31 Right, Bobik 19.
CHASE PILOT
Tower, Bobik 19's got three down and locked.
CHASE PILOT
Tower, Bobik nineteen’s landing gear is all down and safely locked in place.
ATC
Bobik 19, you are cleared to land Runway 31 Right.
ATC
Bobik nineteen, you are authorized to land on runway thirty-one right.
CHASE PILOT
Roger, copy. Cleared to land.
CHASE PILOT
Understood, message received. We’re cleared for the landing.
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