10:45pm UK, Wednesday March 03, 2010

James Jordan, Sky News Online

Audio tapes on which two children can be heard directing jets at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport have emerged.

An air traffic controller has been suspended and a probe ordered after two different children were heard communicating with pilots preparing for take-off.

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched the investigation after the audio came to light on a website for air traffic control buffs.

The first night, the controller brought his young son to work and let him squawk a few routine messages over the radio.

The FAA says the controller brought a different child the next evening.

A spokesman for the FAA said: “Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic.

“This behaviour is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees.”

The recordings were posted in mid-February over two days during a week-long winter break for many New York schoolchildren.

In one exchange, the child can be heard saying: “JetBlue 171 contact departure.”

The pilot responds: “Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job.”

The child appears to be under an adult’s supervision, because a male voice then comes on and says with a laugh: “That’s what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school.”

In another exchange, the youngster clears another plane for takeoff, and says: “Adios, amigo.”

The pilot responds in kind.

The FAA said the control tower is a highly secure area for air traffic controllers, supervisory staff and airport employees with a need to be there.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said in a statement: “It is not indicative of the highest professional standards that controllers set for themselves and exceed each and everyday in the advancement of aviation safety.”