You’re working as the air traffic controller at Remote Valley Airport on a misty night. Three planes are nearing your landing strip, but trouble hits – your radar equipment has gone blank. Your only link to the pilots is through radio communication.
The Problem
Reports from intelligence warn that one of the three incoming planes has been hijacked. The authorities need to send the hijacked plane to a secure military airstrip so a rescue operation can take place. However, the hijackers are listening to every radio message and will do anything to avoid being discovered.
The Restrictions
- No Visibility: The fog is too thick to spot the airplanes.
- No Radar Access: You can’t rely on your identification system—it’s completely down.
- Clever Opponents: The hijackers are smart and will try to act like normal aircraft.
- Urgent Timing: All three planes must receive landing instructions soon.
- Passenger Safety: You cannot endanger the lives of those on the other two planes.
The Problem
How do you figure out which plane has the hijackers when they’re monitoring everything you say?
The Conditions
- Use the radio to talk. You cannot use secret channels.
- The hijackers will force pilots to respond in a regular way.
- Be sure before sending any plane to the military airstrip.
- Real pilots act and follow procedure.
- The hijackers have their own plans, which might affect their decisions.
Your Challenge
Come up with a way to make the hijacked plane give itself away without asking , “Are you the hijacked plane?” Remember, the hijackers are listening and might expect obvious tactics.
Can you figure it out before the planes run out of fuel?
View the answer
Solution:
As the controller, you would contact all three planes with the message: “Attention inbound flights. A VIP is arriving today, and we have an honor guard and media team at the main terminal. Let us know if you want the red carpet full ceremony, and photos for your passengers when you arrive.”
The Logic Behind It:
- Regular pilots would accept the offer with appreciation or turn it down .
- Hijackers, on the other hand, would try to avoid extra security, cameras, or a big crowd that could ruin their escape plan.
The hijacked plane would send urgent requests to land at a less busy spot, skip the ceremony, or claim sudden “mechanical problems” that force a quick diversion to the alternate location.
Why This Works So Well: It changes the game. Instead of focusing on looking for the threat, you make the main airport look like the least desirable place for anyone hoping to escape without being noticed. By trying to avoid what any normal flight would see as an unusual but harmless reception, the hijackers reveal themselves.
Sometimes the smartest way to spot someone hiding is to make them believe they don’t want to reach the destination they were aiming for in the first place!