Short Final: Going One Direction or the Other

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An air traffic controller inquired about a Cessna pilot's planned path around Mt. Diablo (east or west).
The pilot responded by stating their current direction ("heading south") rather than specifying their intended route relative to the mountain.
The controller then rephrased the question, humorously clarifying the need to know if the mountain would be on the aircraft's left or right side.

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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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