The pilot of the stolen Horizon Airlines turboprop alternately expressed remorse for his actions and a desire to perform aerobatics as he flew over Puget Sound on Friday, pursued by two F-15 fighters.
In the 25 minute-long recording posted to Broadcastify, the pilot can be heard calmly chatting with Air Traffic Control.
“It would be a better option if you tried to land it or even landed on the water,” the controller says.
“Yeah,” answers the pilot, who the controller addresses as Rich. Then he asks for a weather report over the Olympics.
“I hit some turbulence around Rainier but there were no clouds there,” Rich says.
The controller advises the Rich to turn back from the Olympics.
“I just want to keep talking to you and if you keep going to the Olympic mountains we can’t hear you,” the controller says.
The controller tries to talk Rich into landing at McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
“Aw man, those guys would rough me up if I tried landing there,” Rich responds. “Oh, they’ve probably got anti-aircraft.”
The controller assures Rich he just wants him to land safely.
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