Short Final: Bet On It

Monday, April 12, 2021 at 05:26 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot flying a Comanche experienced a challenging visual approach into Reno, Nevada, being released 7000 feet above and five miles from the airport, which was complicated by Reno's "bowl" terrain and the aircraft's lack of speed brakes.
After the pilot complained to air traffic control (ATC) about the initial instructions, ATC provided corrective vectors, allowing for a safe descent of 2000 feet before beginning the approach.

See a mistake? Contact us.

While flying cross country from South Carolina to California we planned a stop in Reno, Nevada.

I complained to the controller when he released me for the visual approach 7000 feet above and just five miles from the airport.

Flying into Reno is like flying into a bowl, this was my first time in (on a gusty day) and the Comanche does not have speed brakes.

Well, he gave me a series of vectors to bleed off the first 2000 feet before beginning the approach. See the image above left.

I should have run into the first casino and bet “8” on the roulette wheel.

James “Gary” Gray

Simpsonville, SC