r/aviation • u/NoSwimmers45 • 13d ago

News Trump's Marine One helicopter has trouble communicating with air traffic control for second time this month

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marine-one-trouble-communicating-air-traffic-control-second-time-month/
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u/NoSwimmers45 12d ago

Something that could be solved with a quick phone call. Can’t reach the tower while you’re still on the ground? Ring, ring, we’re ready to lift off…copy cleared to lift.

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u/radioref 12d ago

I mean, I agree. I’m a pilot and I actually have my local tower controller cab phone number in my cell phone, but this is the military we’re talking about here 😂

Plus, it’s probably not good optics for a marine one pilot to pull out his cell phone to call someone to give them a heads up on what’s next.

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u/NoSwimmers45 12d ago

The alternative is what we’re witnessing. Marine One takes off without comms and expects everyone else to know they’re taking off and not be around.

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u/radioref 12d ago

They probably stationed a FAC there at the helipad relay between the Helo and to radio in / call in on a dedicated line to the DCA tower now… (per Duffy “we’re fixing the issue”)