March 3, 2010 -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is investigating whether a child directed aeroplanes from John F Kennedy airport's traffic control tower after a child's voice was recorded in radio transmissions. "Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic," the FAA said. "This behaviour is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees." The agency declined to comment further.

Recordings from mid-February, during a week-long winter break for many New York schoolchildren, were posted last month on a website for enthusiasts who listen to air traffic control frequencies. JFK airport is one of the biggest and busiest in the U.S., handling more than 1,000 takeoffs and landings a day. The child can be heard on the tape making five transmissions to pilots preparing for takeoff. 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 jokes: "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.

A spokesman for the FAA, Jim Peters, said the control tower was a highly secure area for air traffic controllers, supervisory staff and airport employees. Children of the tower's employees were allowed to visit but would need to get approval from the FAA first, he said. The union representing air traffic controllers condemned the workers' behaviour. "It is not indicative of the highest professional standards that controllers set for themselves and exceed each and every day in the advancement of aviation safety," the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said.