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Old 9th September 2004 | 08:02
  #60 (permalink)  
FJJP
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 1
From: UK
In the 60's, a lot of RAF Britannia transport pilots were known to be arrogant !!!!!s, since they were at the top of the pile next to the Comet Guys [who were an ok bunch]. I don't know what it was about them, but they sure acted like Gods.

One fine sunny afternoon at Scampton, we were expecting a Brit trainer to shoot some circuits and he duly called for joining clearance. Runway 23, etc details passed. A short time later he called finals to roll, but none of us could see him. Just then, the tower-tower link from Waddington [runway 21, 10 miles south] asked if we knew anything about a Britannia who wasn't talking to them.

The penny dropped, and the Scampton controller politely and matter-of-fact advised the pilot that he suspected he was lined up on short finals at Waddington. A blistering and very rude reply was received to the effect that how dare the controller question his prowess, etc, etc.

Without batting an eyelid, the controller said [words to the effect] that if that aircraft so much as grazes the runway in front of him right now, he [the controller] would personally telephone the Commander-in Chief of Transport Command, complete with Captain's name, and report the unauthorised entry into Bomber Command airspace, together with the violation of a bookful of air traffic procedures.

Not another word heard from the aircraft as it overshot Waddington, called them and apologised before departing direct to wherever [Lyneham, I think].
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