As a few of you know, in prehistoric days (last century) I had the pleasure of working at Bankstown tower, following on stints at Sydney ops/rescue coord and prior to that Sydney radar. A fellow controller and old Bankstown hand, Bob Livingstone, has published his recollections online at
ozatc.
Many towers had a “gripe book” for feedback etc, at Bankstown we had a small gripe book for notes that were off topic, here is a small sampling:
Many a True Word……!? 7OCT91
We ring the Flow Controller for Practice ILS and overshoot at 0650. Flow response….”Will delay….er…. advise!!
How well do you know your light signals?
VH-MHF lined up on 29R loses receiver. After a bit we flash some reds at him. He says “MHF, light sighted,” and you guessed it….takes off!
Faint Praise
VH-IFM [local BK aircraft], after landing from a flight ex-Richmond: “I take back everything I’ve ever said about BK ATC! We’ve just come back from Richmond [MIL airfield] – they don’t know how to handle aeroplanes!”
Repartee 14 FEB92
Circuit full of NAVAIR Cherokees. VH-FYC calls: “Tower, there are four Pelicans at 1000ft in the circuit.”
Quick as a flash, a voice says, “One of them isn’t in a grey and white Warrior by any chance?”
Dislexia #1
VH-HPQ is holding overhead with only two out of three undercarriage greens. Mike calls the emergency services and informs them: “The aeroplane has an unsafe indercarriage undercation!”
Raucous laughter all round.
There’s Two sides to Every Story
Saturday, 3 April 1992: Frank is trying to get the SARTIME and unit from RMV who is taxying “for Bankstown – no plan held. The pilot finally responds with “POB 4.” Frank gives up. Lots of laughter on 119.9 and a voice says, “It’s alright for you, WE have to train them!”
Dislexia #2
Taxying: Firstly, “Oscar Willy Lima”; Secondly, “Oscar Wilma Lima”; Finally, “Oscar Whiskey Lima”
In a Hurry
Student’s voice in KHF: “Ready – first solo” (No previous call from instructor who usually lets us know).
“Clear for take-off.”
“Kilo Hotel Foxtrot” (and faintly in background from instructor, “Let me get out first!”
Repartee
Teleprinter message glued in book addressed from ASBKZT (Bankstown Tower) to AMMBZT (Moorabbin tower) referring to an air display closing Moorabbin 27 December 1986:
REAL CONTROLLERS DON’T CLOSE AERODROMES FOR AIR DISPLAYS REGARDS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
Shortly after, AMMBZT replies:
REAL MEN DON’T WORK AT ASBK REGARDS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
Heard on 119.9
Them: “I don’t know – should fxx_xing work!”
Us: “Hold position, report ready in the bum-up bay!”
Aircraft Recognition
14 March 1987: Pilot: PUY Ready.
ADC 1 : Are you the Musketeer?
Pilot: No, I’m the Chipmunk.
ADC1: They’re all the same to me. Clear for take-off!