Short Final: Windy

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • While practicing approaches in the Southern California High Desert, a C-17 crew experienced strong, gusty winds reported as 25 gusting to 37 knots.
  • The C-17 pilot, seemingly surprised by the conditions, asked air traffic control if the wind always blew with such intensity.
  • The tower controller humorously replied, "No, sometimes it blows hard," indicating that such strong winds are a common, and sometimes even more severe, characteristic of the region.
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I fly in the High Desert of Southern California. We often get very strong, gusty winds. While practicing approaches, I heard this interaction between tower and a C-17 crew, also practicing.

Tower: “…wind 200 at 25 gusting to 37, cleared for the option Runway 17.”

C-17 pilot after acknowledging information: “Does the wind always blow like this?”

Tower: “No (pause), sometimes it blows hard.”

George White

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