Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot at RDU airport was mistakenly taxiing to runway 5R instead of the cleared 5L.
  • When confronted by ground control, the pilot offered to correct, but ground control issued a confusing instruction to "do a 360 and proceed to 5R."
  • The pilot disregarded the unnecessary 360-degree turn and simply continued to runway 5R.
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A few years ago, I flew into RDU really late at night to drop off a couple of folks. On the way out, taxiing down to 5R, ground control called out.

Ground Control:
“Twin Cessna, where are you going?”

Me:
“To 5R.”

Ground Control:
“You were cleared to 5L.”

Me:
“Would you like me to do a 180 and go to 5L?”

Ground Control:
“Go ahead and do a 360 and proceed to 5R.”

I continued but left out the turn!


Michael K.

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