[Yes, the asterisk in the title for this blog is really really stupid. Apparently, MSN Spaces considers the word "cockpit" a prohibited word, but only in the title. Sigh.]
Yesterday, Jennifer and I took our friend Arthur on a flight around the area. At one point, we decided to do some landings and takeoffs at Paine Field in Everett, mostly for fun. As we were approaching the airport, I called up the air traffic controller to request a clearance to land. Just as he started reading me a landing clearance, Jennifer started talking to point out an airplane approaching us quickly. He was below us, and not a factor as it turned out, but it sure looked like he might have mattered. I got kinda mad because she talked over the controller and I knew that she knew to expect a reply from him. I told her rather harshly to be quiet so I could hear the controller and asked him to say again. As soon as I got the clearance, I paused briefly to think about the situation. Upon reflection, I let her know that I realized she did exactly the right thing. It’s much better to know about traffic in the area, and have to ask the controller to repeat himself than to crash while giving the controller more sway over my priorities as pilot-in-command than he deserves.
Jennifer, keep up the good traffic spotting and always call out traffic that may be a factor.