Short Final: Horizontal Or Vertical

Editorial Staff

Monday, November 29, 2021 at 07:52 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot flying a Super Decathlon at Centennial Airport was instructed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to perform a 360-degree turn for spacing in the traffic pattern.
The pilot humorously asked ATC for clarification on whether the 360 should be horizontal, vertical, or longitudinal.
After a moment of silence, ATC confirmed that a horizontal 360 would be appropriate.

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My home airport is KAPA, which used to be Arapahoe County Airport but is now Centennial Airport in the south metropolitan area of Denver, Colorado.

One day I was flying my Super Decathlon and I was entering a right downwind to Runway 17 Right. I was overtaking a slower 172 ahead in the pattern. Tower came on frequency saying “18 Echo, do a 360 for spacing.”

“Roger that, tower,” I replied. “Would you prefer that 360 horizontal or vertical or even longitudinal?”

Tower was silent for a few seconds. “Ahhh, 18 Echo … ahhh … horizontal would be just fine.”

Drew Chitiea

Centennial, CO