Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A solo student pilot on a cross-country trip dramatically reported to flight service that "The sky is falling" and announced his return to base.
  • Flight Service acknowledged the unusual communication and informed the pilot they would advise "Hatty Patty," presumably the instructor Patty Simpson who was monitoring the frequency.
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I had dispatched a solo student on his cross-country trip. The route took him over some higher terrain — about 2,000 feet higher than his departure airport. As usual, I was listening on frequency to hear him clear the zone on route when he called flight service.

Pilot:
“The sky is falling, and I will be returning back.”

Flight Service:
“I’ll advise Hatty Patty the sky is falling and you will be returning to base.”


Patty Simpson

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