Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots repeatedly violated a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) during an air show practice in Sonoma County, causing multiple delays and interruptions.
  • The Canadian Snowbirds' routine was halted due to a TFR violation, prompting one of their pilots to question the tower about the frequent incursions.
  • The air traffic control tower humorously responded to the Snowbirds' inquiry by attributing the TFR violations to a local disregard for rules, stating, "Welcome to Sonoma County. They drive like that, too."
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This past week I watched the Wings Over Wine Country Air Show practice from my hangar at KSTS. I was listening to the tower on my handheld. While I was listening, three different pilots wandered into the TFR, causing the rehearsals to be delayed. The fourth time it happened was when the Canadian Snowbirds had just started their routine. The tower notified them they would have to stop until the offender left the zone.

One of the Snowbirds then asked the tower:
“What’s with all these pilots busting the TFR?”

The tower responded:
“Welcome to Sonoma County. They drive like that, too.”


Scott Peterson

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