Short Final: Overwater

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A single-engine Piper pilot refused an air traffic control instruction to vector over Lake Ontario, expressing fear of flying over water with "only one spinney thing."
  • Air Traffic Control promptly revised the instruction, advising the pilot to maintain heading, climb, and providing a traffic alert for an oncoming aircraft.
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We were following the Lake Ontario shoreline north toward Billy Bishop Toronto City airport on Toronto Island near downtown Toronto. On frequency we heard the following.

Toronto Terminal: “Piper 1234, turn heading 110, vector for traffic.”

Piper 1234: “Oooh no! I’m not going out over the water—I’ve only got one spinney thing!”

Toronto Terminal: “Piper 1234, maintain current heading. Climb and maintain 3400. Traffic 12 o’clock, four miles, opposite direction, 2300 feet is a Cardinal.”

Daniel Eberl

Iowa City, IA

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