Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A student pilot requested flight following without being prepared to provide standard information.
  • The pilot was unable to state their destination when asked by Air Traffic Control (ATC).
  • ATC humorously offered to select a destination for the unprepared pilot.
  • The pilot subsequently asked ATC for a destination recommendation.
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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

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