Air traffic controller at JFK lets child take over
An air traffic controller has been suspended after audio tapes of him letting his young son 'control' jets at New York's JFK airport were revealed.
In the recordings, the young lad - who sounds no older than 10 - can be heard passing instructions to pilots preparing for take-off at the busy airport.
During the clips, which were recorded in February while many New York pupils were on a week-long break, the boy says things like "Jet Blue 171 clear for take off."
His father, a certified air traffic controller, can also be heard jokingly telling pilots "That's what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school."
Hmmm. We're not so convinced that line would have worked in a court case had the stunt caused an accident.
In the recordings, the young lad - who sounds no older than 10 - can be heard passing instructions to pilots preparing for take-off at the busy airport.
During the clips, which were recorded in February while many New York pupils were on a week-long break, the boy says things like "Jet Blue 171 clear for take off."
His father, a certified air traffic controller, can also be heard jokingly telling pilots "That's what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school."
Hmmm. We're not so convinced that line would have worked in a court case had the stunt caused an accident.
Proving that the job - often deemed one of the most stressful in the world - is in fact child's play, the boy seems to have fun adding an "Adios, amigo" after telling one pilot to contact departure.
And the pilots don't seem to be phased by the young voice, one even congratulates him on doing an "awesome job".
However the Federal Aviation Administration do not agree, they say pending the outcome of an investigation the father is no longer controlling air traffic, adding that the event does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from FAA employees.
LINKS
JFK Airport
Federal Aviation Administration
And the pilots don't seem to be phased by the young voice, one even congratulates him on doing an "awesome job".
However the Federal Aviation Administration do not agree, they say pending the outcome of an investigation the father is no longer controlling air traffic, adding that the event does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from FAA employees.
LINKS
JFK Airport
Federal Aviation Administration
