Short Final: Windy

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Operating in the High Desert of Southern California frequently involves very strong, gusty winds.
  • A C-17 pilot, practicing approaches in winds gusting to 37 knots, humorously asked if the wind always blew so intensely.
  • The air traffic control tower responded with a dry remark, "No, sometimes it blows hard," implying that such conditions are common and can even be worse.
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I fly in the High Desert of Southern California. We often get very strong, gusty winds. While practicing approaches, I heard this interaction between tower and a C-17 crew, also practicing.

Tower: “…wind 200 at 25 gusting to 37, cleared for the option Runway 17.”

C-17 pilot after acknowledging information: “Does the wind always blow like this?”

Tower: “No (pause), sometimes it blows hard.”

George White

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