Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot flying a distinctively colored Decatalon was recognized by an air traffic controller.
  • The pilot humorously questioned if air traffic control now had "colored radar."
  • The controller revealed they knew the aircraft's color because they also fly the same type of Decatalon out of the same airport.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Some years ago, I was flying a red, white, and blue Decatalon out of Petaluma airport in northern California when I asked Oakland Center for some information:

Oakland Center:
“N12345 – are you flying a red, white, and blue airplane?”

Me:
“Don’t tel me you now have colored radar!”

Oakland Center:
“Naw. I fly the Decatalon out of Petaluma, too.”

Myron MacNeil
via e-mail

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