British Airways Boeing 747 Speedbird 206 Vs Frankfurt Airport ATC: the best pilot-ATC argument of all time

Arguments between pilots and ATCs

Pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCs) don’t usually argue, but when they do it is usually about some misunderstanding or confusion about instructions. Other times it is when an aircraft is instructed to do something, and the pilot replies “unable” like being directed to turn in the direction of a thunderstorm or to make a crossing restricted altitude that can’t be done, or an imprudent speed.

Ron Wagner, former pilot in the US Air Force (USAF) 89th Airlift Wing (the “Presidential Wing”), recalls the best pilot-ATC argument ever on Quora;

‘My old time aviation buddies can skip this because it’s an old mythical story. Probably didn’t happen, but if it did, this was the best pilot-controller argument of all time!

British Airways Boeing 747 Speedbird 206 Vs Frankfurt Airport ATC

‘Allegedly the German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. German controllers are tough and run airports like, well, like Germans were known to run things. No sense of humor. No room for error. And they were quick with tongue lashings for anyone who didn’t obey perfectly and quickly. They, it is alleged, not only expect one to know one’s gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them.

‘A British Airways Boeing 747 call sign Speedbird 206 (the call sign for British Airways jets is Speedbird) landed and was handed over to ground control and given taxi instructions.

Speedbird 206: “Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway.”
Ground: “Speedbird 206 taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven.”

‘The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.

Ground: “Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?”
Speedbird 206: “Stand by, Ground, I’m looking up our gate location now.”
Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): “Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?”
Speedbird 206 (coolly): “Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark … and I didn’t land.”

Photo by British Airways / Crown Copyright