Short Final: Approach Performance

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • During instrument training, a student pilot and their instructor received an unexpected compliment from air traffic control after completing a missed approach.
  • The tower controller's praise ("a very good job") surprised the experienced instructor, who noted he had never received such feedback before.
  • This unusual and humorous interaction became a shared anecdote among their pilot friends.
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Not long ago during my instrument training, my very accomplished instructor and I were doing a VOR 14 Approach at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport (KMFD). After completing the missed approach the tower controller came on the radio to say, “That was a very good job on the approach.”

Somewhat surprised my instructor said, “Gee they have never said that when I’ve made an approach.”

I comforted him by telling him what a great instructor he is and that the tower controller really knows his stuff.

We had great fun with this at our home base with our pilot friends.

Robert Neiderhouser

Mt. Vernon, OH

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