Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A general aviation pilot in an A-36 Bonanza navigated busy SFO Class Bravo airspace alongside commercial airline traffic.
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) provided traffic advisories to both the Bonanza and a Southwest 737.
  • The Southwest pilot humorously referred to the Bonanza as "the doctor" after sighting it, reflecting a traditional aviation stereotype for general aviation pilots.
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I was flying an A-36 Bonanza through the SFO Class Bravo a few years ago and there was quite a bit of airline traffic departing at the time. ATC advised me of a Southwest 737 climbing out at my 1 o’clock and I let them know I had it in sight.

Controller: “Southwest 9999 traffic 3 o’clock 2 miles, a Bonanza level 4 thousand.”

Southwest: “Southwest 9999, we’re looking” A few seconds later, “Southwest 9999, Tally-ho, we’ve got the doctor in sight.”

I guess nowadays the “doctor” would be in a Cirrus.


Colin Smith

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