ATC comms at JFK

[Geoff W]

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/national/child-directs-airplanes-over-radio-transmissions-at-jfk-airport

Source myfoxboston.com

Kind regards,

Geoff

[Sarah C]

Did anyone hear the audio? The kid actually did a pretty good job - it stated the directions pretty clearly.

[Matt Coughran]

I think the kid did an awesome job, and all these people saying its unprofessional and that it could of cause an accident.

I don't think the kid was controlling what the aircraft were doing just telling them what to do.

I don't see any harm in take your kid to work day.

[Gareth Forwood]

Agree with you both completely, it was clear he was under very close supervision and being told what to say and when to say it. Also, the father was giving the line-up instructions and the child mainly gave "contact departures" instructions (along with a couple of "cleared for takeoff" ones). You could tell the pilots were aware it was a kid (it would be difficult to miss...) so I don't think there was any danger there.

[Brian Wilkes]

Priceless :D

[Steve Jones]

Priceless, but given the usual media beat-up about everything and anything, the poor guy no longer has a job. What is the world coming to?

[Peter Agatsiotis]

That was bound to happen Steve, unfortunately.

Most kids love to see what their parents do and would be happy to go to their workplace even for a few hours.

Tragically, this can be catastrophic; if you recall the Aeroflot A310 that crashed after the Captains' nephews/sons were allowed to 'play' with the controls.

[Liz E]

...Tragically, this can be catastrophic; if you recall the Aeroflot A310 that crashed after the Captains' nephews/sons were allowed to 'play' with the controls.

That's rather like comparing apples to oranges. In the case of the Aeroflot A310, the pilot's son had control of the aircraft. The Captain hadn't delegated command to the co-pilot. The boy in this case was merely parroting his father's words and wasn't controlling anything.

Having said that though, it was still wrong to allow the child to relay directions. A strong reprimand would be more appropriate that a sacking.

[Grant Smith]

Source myfoxboston.com

'nuff said really...

[Grant Smith]

Priceless, but given the usual media beat-up about everything and anything, the poor guy no longer has a job. What is the world coming to?

Steve,

The ATC and his Superviser have only been stood down (suspended if you will) pending the outcome of an investigation.

Hard to speculate at this stage what will happen, we can only hope that the FAA see it for what it was.

[Karl M]

FOX News just ran a story that the controllers daughter had done the same thing the next day! They played an audio clip too.
LOL this story get better.:D

[Mark Grima]

It's one thing to enjoy a "Take your kid to work day" but another thing to have the kid do your work. I am fairly appauled by it I have to say.

An ATC tower has a hugley important role and to have a kid give out instructions should not be tolerated in my opinion. To be honest I don't even think the kids should be allowed in the tower (presuming they are seeing as though this controller got the kids in there. If they are not then stand down the supervisor also).

There is no doubt the kid was saying what his old man had told him too but still, what happens if the kids says the wrong thing.

Poor form by the dad, should be sacked.

Cheers

M

[Jayden Laing]

How many controllers are there in a tower (ie: JFK, YSSY)?? If there was any potential threat, wouldn't the supervisor have possibly stepped in & taken authority of the situation. After all, isn't that what they are there to for (supervise other worker's & take control if a potential threat is imminent).

Thats just my view on the incident!:)