Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Piper pilot with a distinct Southern drawl used the informal phrase "a-fixin' to" when notifying Air Traffic Control of his intent to cancel his IFR flight plan.
  • The Air Traffic Controller sought clarification to distinguish between the pilot's intention and an immediate action.
  • The pilot confirmed his immediate intention to cancel, after which the controller instructed him to squawk 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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