Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot, speaking with a strong southern drawl, informs Air Traffic Control of his intention to cancel his IFR flight plan using the colloquial phrase "a-fixin' to."
  • Air Traffic Control seeks clarification to ascertain whether the pilot is merely intending or actively proceeding with the cancellation.
  • The pilot confirms his immediate intention to cancel, prompting ATC to issue instructions for squawking VFR.
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I heard this while returning from Texas:

Piper Pilot (with a thick southern drawl) :
“Sahv, Centah, Ah believe Ah’m a-fixin’ to cancel mah IFR flaght plannn.”

Center:
“Are you just ‘fixin’ to,’ or are you going to cancel it?”

Piper Pilot:
“Ah believe Ah’m a-goin’ to cancel it about now.”

Center:
“Roger. Squawk VFR.”


Ron Cizek
Omaha, Nebraska

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