Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Two friends flying separate aircraft (a Mooney and a Comanche) arrive simultaneously at Lethbridge, Alberta, after a flight from Great Falls, Montana.
  • FSS, unaware the pilots are flying together, advises one pilot of the other as "traffic" and suggests a 360-degree turn for separation.
  • A humorous exchange ensues, with the first pilot remarking they'd been doing 360s all the way from Great Falls trying to stay behind, and the second pilot (Bill) jokingly responding "Used to be" when FSS asks if they are friends.
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Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section
Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air”

One sunshiny day a couple of years ago, my friend Bill in his Mooney (C-FIHH) and I in my Comanche (C-FLHV) were flying the 142 miles from Great Falls, Montana to Lethbridge, Alberta. We’d taken off one right behind the other, so not surprisingly arrived more or less simultaneously. Bill called into the FSS advisory frequency first with his position and intentions, followed by me. FSS obviously didn’t realize we were together:

FSS:
“Roger, Lima Hotel Victor. Traffic: A Mooney also arriving from the southeast, more or less your position. Suggest you do a 360 to the right for separation.”

Me (C-FLHV):
“Comanche LHV into the right 360. Actually, we’ve been doing 360s all the way from Great Falls, me trying to stay behind him.”

FSS:
“Mooney India Hotel Hotel, is he a friend of yours?”

Bill (C-FIHH):
“Used to be.”


Don Ostergard
Drumheller, Alberta

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