Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, July 01, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A Cessna 150 pilot, flying in challenging conditions (hot, IMC, at 5,000 feet), was instructed by Saginaw Approach to climb to 7,000 feet.
The pilot communicated the aircraft's performance limitations, stating it would take approximately 20 minutes to reach the requested altitude.
Saginaw Approach acknowledged the pilot's estimate, confirming they had already factored that time into their instruction and did not require the aircraft at 7,000 feet any sooner.

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Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section

Last July, on a 90-degree-plus day, in my Cessna 150 just 30 minutes fuel burn below gross, in IMC and at the already unbelievable altitude of 5,000 feet, Saginaw Approach made this request:

Saginaw Approach: Four Five Uniform, I need you to climb and maintain 7,000.

Cessna 45U: Leaving five climbing seven. But its gonna take me about 20 minutes to do it.

Approach: Four Five Uniform, I know. I dont need you there for another 20 minutes!