Short Final: Going One Direction or the Other

Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An air traffic controller asked a pilot to specify their intended flight path around Mt. Diablo (east or west).
The pilot initially responded with their current heading, failing to answer the controller's specific question about their navigational intent.
The controller had to clarify the question, emphasizing the need to know which side of the mountain the pilot planned to pass.

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While flying one day in Northern California, I heard the following:

Center: “Cessna 1234 are you planning to pass east or west of Mt. Diablo?

Cessna: “We’re currently heading south.

Center: (with a chuckle) “I understand that you’re heading south. But when you pass that mountain ahead, will it be on your left or right side?”

Phil Verghese

Santa Clara, CA

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