Short Final: Someday

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Cirrus aircraft (Cirrus 12345) was given a "go around" instruction twice by the tower before being cleared to land.
  • Each time, the Cirrus was interrupted by larger aircraft (Delta and JetBlue) being given landing clearance.
  • The pilot expressed his desire to one day operate a larger aircraft after finally being cleared to land.
  • The story highlights the challenges and priorities of air traffic control in managing multiple aircraft approaches.
See a mistake? Contact us.

A few years back, we were three miles out from landing at our local towered airport, when we had the following exchange with our local tower:

Tower: “Cirrus 12345, go around. Delta 1234, cleared to land.”

We went around and lined up to land. At what seemed the very last minute, the tower called us again:

Tower: “Cirrus 12345, sorry, go around. Jet Blue 1234, cleared to land.”

On the third try, we were relieved to hear from the tower, “Cirrus 12345, cleared to land.”

Me: “Cirrus 12345, cleared to land. I can’t wait to be a big boy someday.”

Ted Brown

Ossining, NY

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE