Sr-71
A pilot relayed a story about an interesting radio dialogue.
A Cessna flying over the Mojave desert called into Los Angeles Center for a ground speed check. Center replied: “November Charlie 175, I'm showing you at ninety knots on the ground.”
Moments later a Beechcraft twin engine piped in on the same frequency and, "in a rather superior tone," asked for his ground speed. “I have you at one hundred and twenty-five knots of ground speed.”
Not missing a beat, a Navy jock in an F-18 slickly chimed in, “Center, Dusty 52 ground speed check.”
“Dusty 52, Center, we have you at 620 on the ground.”
But before the Navy pilot could congratulate himself on being the fastest bird in the valley his moment was interrupted by yet another party. The pilot relaying this story just happened to be flying overhead at 80,000 feet in his SR-71.
Very professionally, and with no emotion, he spoke: “Los Angeles Center, Aspen 20, can you give us a ground speed check?” There was no hesitation, and the replay came as if it was an everyday request. “Aspen 20, I show you at one thousand eight hundred and forty-two knots, across the ground.”
“Ah, Center, much thanks, we're showing closer to nineteen hundred on the money.”
“Roger that Aspen. Your equipment is probably more accurate than ours. You boys have a good one.”
Another Story
Los Angeles Center (the ATC people) reported receiving a request for clearance to FL 600 (60,000ft).
The incredulous controller, with some disdain in his voice, asked, "How do you plan to get up to 60,000 feet?
The pilot responded, " We don't plan to go up to it, we plan to come down to it..."
