Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot requesting flight following was unable to state their destination when prompted by Air Traffic Control.
  • The Air Traffic Controller humorously offered to select a destination for the seemingly unprepared pilot.
  • The pilot subsequently asked the controller for a destination recommendation, indicating a lack of prior flight planning.
See a mistake? Contact us.

While flying southbound IFR in good VMC conditions to Sun ‘n Fun two years ago, we overheard the following conversation:

Cessna 1234 (sounding like a student pilot) :
“Approach, request flight following.”

Approach:
“Cessna 1234, what is your location — altitude and destination?”

Cessna 1234:
“We just departed Salisbury. 1,500 feet.”

Approach:
“What is your destination?”

Cessna 1234:
[A few unintelligible words mumbled, with no definitive answer.]

[Long pause.]

Approach (laughter in his voice) :
“Would you like me to select your destination?”

Cessna 1234:
“Where do you recommend?”


Howard McVay
via e-mail

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE

Please support AVweb.

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker. Ads keep AVweb free and fund our reporting.
Please whitelist AVweb or continue with ads enabled.