Two children had been allowed to direct live air traffic in two separate occasions under adult supervision at John F. Kennedy International Airport in February of 2010.

The incidents, which are major violations of the Federal Aviation Authority‘s (FAA) policies, occurred in February 16 and 17, when two children could be heard directing aircraft and talking to pilots.

“JetBlue 171 contact departure,” a child’s voice could be heard as saying in a February 16 transmission recording, to which a pilot replied “”Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job.” Similar recordings were obtained from February 17, wherein a young girl’s voice could be heard.

“This lapse in judgment not only violated FAA’s own policies, but common sense standards for professional conduct. These kinds of distractions are totally unacceptable,” FAA administrator Randy Babbitt said in a statement. The FAA has proceeded to place an airport supervisor and air traffic controller under administrative leave while waiting for the results of the FAA investigation.

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