Short Final: Highway 101

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot (N1234) flying towards San Jose had difficulty understanding air traffic control (ATC) instructions to remain east and north of Highway 101.
  • ATC repeatedly clarified the instruction, first using the highway number, then "the freeway."
  • Ultimately, ATC resorted to a highly simplified, visual description of the highway ("that long thing on your right with the cars going up and down it") to ensure the pilot understood the boundary.
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Heading north from Santa Monica to Oakland and approaching San Jose, I heard the following:

Approach: “N1234, remain east and north of highway 101.”

N1234: “Ah, 1234, roger.”

Approach: “N1234, please remain east and north of the freeway.”

N1234: “Ah OK, 101, 1234.”

Approach: “N1234, do you see that long thing on your right with the cars going up and down it? Stay north and east of that.”

Harry Saddler
Oakland, CA
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