Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airline requested wind information from John Wayne Ground control.
  • Ground control initially described the wind direction as "variable between 110 and 120 at 6 knots."
  • The ground controller then humorously self-corrected, observing that a 10-degree range isn't truly "variable."
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Heard this at John Wayne Airport recently. The airliners often like to take off from runway 1L if the wind is within their take-off limits to save fuel.

United 123:
“John Wayne ground, say winds please.”

John Wayne Ground:
“Winds are variable between 110 and 120 at 6 knots.”

John Wayne Ground (after a pause) :
“Actually, I guess they aren’t that variable, are they?”


Mike Banner
via e-mail

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