Short Final: Going One Direction or the Other

Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot responded vaguely to air traffic control's specific question about their intended path around Mt. Diablo.
Air traffic control had to rephrase their question to get a clear navigational plan from the pilot.
The exchange illustrates a communication breakdown where essential flight path information was initially withheld.

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While flying one day in Northern California, I heard the following:

Center: “Cessna 1234 are you planning to pass east or west of Mt. Diablo?

Cessna: “We’re currently heading south.

Center: (with a chuckle) “I understand that you’re heading south. But when you pass that mountain ahead, will it be on your left or right side?”

Phil Verghese

Santa Clara, CA

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