Short Final: Highway 101

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot (N1234) struggled to comprehend air traffic control's instructions to remain east and north of Highway 101.
  • Air traffic control repeatedly tried to clarify the instruction, eventually resorting to highly simplified, visual language to describe the freeway.
  • The interaction highlights a communication breakdown where standard aviation terminology was ineffective, requiring a more basic explanation.
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Heading north from Santa Monica to Oakland and approaching San Jose, I heard the following:

Approach: “N1234, remain east and north of highway 101.”

N1234: “Ah, 1234, roger.”

Approach: “N1234, please remain east and north of the freeway.”

N1234: “Ah OK, 101, 1234.”

Approach: “N1234, do you see that long thing on your right with the cars going up and down it? Stay north and east of that.”

Harry Saddler
Oakland, CA
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