Quote:
Originally Posted by JL514
Also, what were you doing in SWF? I love that airport -- so much closer to my house than JFK, LGA, EWR etc and so small and quaint and its the best!!!!
When I flew for ACA (United Express) we used to overnight there. I remember we stayed in some hotel that seemed like it was designed by M.C. Escher...crazy hallways and partial staircases.
I have a memory of doing what we used to call the "Boston Shuffle" out of Newburgh...just back and forth to BOS.
One day I remember the weather was down to minimums and it was a long day of hand flying in the J32. On one flight back to SWF, we were vectored to the final approach course and then turned over to Stewart Tower by NY Approach Control. We contacted the tower, "Blue Ridge 123 on the ILS Runway niner". He said, "Roger Blue Ridge 123, call the marker."
Stewart tower had no radar, so they depended on voice position reports and he wanted us to call him at the outer marker, about 5 miles from landing. Well, it being such a long day, we forgot to call and just landed. As we rolled out, the tower called, "Blue Ridge 123, say your position." Crap! We had landed without a clearance! The controller couldn't see us (or the runway) from the tower because the visibility was so low.
The Captain thought quickly and took advantage of their lack of radar: "Sorry tower, we forgot to call at the marker. Blue Ridge 123 is short final."
The controller said, "Roger, Blue Ridge 123. You are cleared to land Runway niner".
We taxied off the runway and held for a minute or so and then called the tower, "Blue Ridge 123 is clearing the runway." and then we were cleared to contract Ground control for taxi clearance.
That was 1994 and I think it's the only time I've ever landed without a clearance.