Short Final: Windy

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The High Desert of Southern California is characterized by frequent strong and gusty winds, as experienced by a C-17 crew during approach practice.
  • The C-17 pilot, encountering 25-knot winds gusting to 37, inquired if such conditions were typical for the area.
  • Air Traffic Control humorously responded that these winds are not only common but can often blow even harder.
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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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