Short Final: Mirage

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The pilot received a traffic alert of an aircraft 300 feet higher and faster to their left.
Air traffic control then confirmed the traffic, stating it was above and to the left.
The pilot did not visually see the aircraft.
Air traffic control identified the aircraft as a "Mirage," explaining the pilot's inability to see it.

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I was inbound for landing at Reid‑Hillview airport and had a traffic alert off to my left, 300 feet higher and faster. About a minute after the traffic alert the tower told me I had traffic above and to the left of me. I replied that I did not have traffic in sight.

Tower said, “It’s a Mirage.”

I replied, “No wonder I can’t see them,” eliciting a chuckle out of the tower guy.

Anonymous