Short Final

Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Two pilots (Cherokee and Grumman) coordinated their landing approach at a non-towered airport.
The Cherokee pilot offered to let the faster Grumman land first.
The Grumman pilot courteously declined, stating he was "retired" and would follow the Cherokee.
The exchange demonstrates excellent communication and cooperation between pilots in shared airspace.

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While flying back to my home airport, KAVQ, I heard this exchange from two pilots entering the non-towered airport airspace:

Cherokee: Cherokee 1234 entering left downwind for runway 12, full stop.

A Grumman Tiger pilot was also entering left downwind making a similar call.

Cherokee pilot: Grumman aircraft, we will swing wide since you are faster to allow you to land first.

Grumman pilot: No problem, I’m retired. Grumman number two to land behind the Cherokee.

And so they did.

John Winter