Short Final: Cub Comedy

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Piper Cub pilot practicing at a small airport encountered a Learjet approaching for landing.
  • To stay clear, the Cub pilot climbed above pattern altitude and playfully announced "Cub wake turbulence" to the Learjet.
  • The Learjet crew reacted with laughter, finding the pilot's mischievous radio call amusing.
See a mistake? Contact us.

While doing some pattern work recently at our small rural airport in Pella, Iowa (KPEA), I was practicing wheel landings and three‐point landings with my 1946 Piper Cub when on the CTAF I heard a local business’ Lear‐45 announce their approach to the airport from five miles to the south. Though the corporate pilots know me and are generally very courteous, I knew that I was somewhat of a nuisance to them in the pattern and would be hard to identify. I chose to climb to 1000 feet above pattern altitude and make a broad circle over the airport, trying to visualize the jet and stay out of their way. I don’t know what possessed me, but as they made their call for downwind, I announced, “Learjet 1234 on downwind, use caution, Cub wake turbulence on one‐six!”

I waited a few seconds and when I heard their call for final to one‐six, I could hear laughter in the background, obviously acknowledging my mischievous behavior. I think it made their day!

Dave Barnes, Pella, Iowa

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE

Please support AVweb.

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker. Ads keep AVweb free and fund our reporting.
Please whitelist AVweb or continue with ads enabled.