Short Final: One Digit Or Two

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot flying a Cherokee pre-GPS encountered an extraordinarily strong headwind, resulting in a ground speed slower than trucks on the Interstate.
  • The extremely slow progress forced the pilot to find an alternate fuel stop, as they wouldn't reach their original destination.
  • St. Louis Approach humorously responded to the pilot's request for ground speed by asking if they wanted it in "one digit or two," highlighting its exceptionally low value.
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Years ago before GPS, when we only had two VORs, we were westbound against an extraordinarily strong headwind in a Cherokee, talking to St. Louis Approach. Through breaks in the clouds I could see that the big trucks on the Interstate below were making better time than we were. It was obvious we weren’t going to make our original destination. So we were looking at our charts, and trying to calculate a good location for a fuel stop with our usual one-hour reserve. I asked Approach if they had a ground speed on us.

St. Louis Approach responded, “Sure. Do you want it in one digit or two?”

Verne Wiese

Beavercreek, Ohio

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