US officials are investigating how a child was apparently allowed to direct planes at JFK airport. Pilots heard the voice of a surprisingly young boy instructing them from air traffic control.

JFK Airport in New York is one of the largest airports in the country, handling ncarly a thousand take-offs and landings a day. Eut just after 8pm on the 16th of February, there was somebody else in the control tower directing air traffic and giving instructions to pilots.

Recordmg from air traffic control: Boy: JetBlue 171 clear for take off. Pilot: Clear for take off JetBlue 171.

The boy was speaking to an airbus A320 heading for Sacramento. The child’s father, who is a certified controller, brought his son to work and then put him to work as well. Recording from air traffic control: Boy: JetBlue 171 contact departure. Pilot: Over to departure JetBlue 171. Awesome job.

The young boy continued directing pilots tor several take-offs, pilots appearing to be more amused than worried.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates America's airports, hasn’t released the names of the controllers involved but it’s not treating it as a joke. It’s investigating the controller, as well as his supervisor. Both have been relieved oftheirduties.

Some are saying the incident is being blown out of proportion since the youngster was repeating standard, routine directions to pilots with the adults, presumably, alongside him. It’s been revealed the controller in question brought his daughter in the following evening.

The FAA has released a statement sayinç “This lapse in judgment not only violated the FAAs own policies but common sense standards for

professional conduct. These kinds of distractions are totally unacceptable.”

GORDON, James. Disponível em:<www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/ learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2010/03/100305_witn_air_traffic. shtml>. Acesso em: 20 abr. 2010.