LISTEN: Student pilot seeks help from air traffic control during nationwide ground stop

RADIO TRAFFIC RECORDING: Student pilot seeks help during nationwide ground stop Advertisement Updated: 6:10 PM CST Nov 13, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ RADIO TRAFFIC RECORDING: Student pilot seeks help during nationwide ground stop Updated: 6:10 PM CST Nov 13, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ A student pilot turned to air traffic control for guidance during his first solo cross-country flight as an unusual nationwide ground stop unfolded. In a recording of the radio traffic, the pilot explains that he was traveling from Hicks Airfield, which is in Fort Worth, Texas. Advertisement Homeland Security secretary says no indication yet of nefarious act behind FAA communications issue Traffic controller: There is a ground stop nationwide. I advise you land your aircraft. Where would you like to land? Pilot: Ma'am, I'm a student pilot. Honestly, this is my first time doing solo cross-country, and I don't know what do. Traffic controller: Where did you come from? Pilot: I came from Hicks. Traffic controller: Landing at Hicks, I advise you land the airplane. There is multiple traffic in the vicinity of Hicks… both helicopters. Pilot: So am I clear to land at Hicks then? Traffic controller: You can change to advisory frequency at Hicks; I cannot give you clearance to that airport. Would you like to talk to approach? Pilot: No, I just changed frequencies, speak to them, and there's nothing wrong with the airport itself? It's just like nationwide? Traffic controller: Affirmative, nothing wrong with Hicks Airport itself. You can change to advisory frequencies; just suggest you land the airplane. Pilot: Will do, thank you so much, I'll switch to Hicks now. How long is the nationwide ground stop going to last? An aviation expert weighs in New Orleans cruise ship collision: All accounted for, 32 hospitalized Video captures emergency responders rescuing people from frigid Mississippi River after tanker strikes cruise ship Make WISN a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks How long is the nationwide ground stop going to last? Flights halted at airports across US due to air traffic control communications problems QUIZ: This week in national news New Orleans cruise ship collision: All accounted for, 32 hospitalized