Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Cessna pilot at Gainesville Airport requested to land on a specific runway to drop off passengers at the commercial terminal, departing from the original clearance for Runway Six.
  • Air Traffic Control denied the request, informing the pilot that general aviation aircraft must use the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) facilities.
  • After confirming the policy, the Tower humorously suggested a "low approach" for the passengers to jump out, leading the pilot to accept the original Runway Six clearance.
See a mistake? Contact us.
Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section
Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air”

Heard at Gainesville, Florida Airport:

Cessna:
“Gainesville Tower, Cessna XXXXX, seven west with Tango.”

Tower:
“Cessna XXXXX, cleared to land, Runway Six.”

Cessna:
“We’d prefer Runway One Zero. We have some passengers to drop off at the terminal.”

Tower:
“Cessna XXXXX, you can’t do that. You have to use the general aviation FBO.”

Cessna:
“We called ahead, and they said we could drop them off as long as we stayed clear of the gate.”

Tower:
“I don’t know who told you that, but I’ll ask the airport manager.”

Later …

Tower:
“Cessna XXXXX. I’m sorry, but you can’t taxi to the terminal. However, if you’d like, I can clear you for a low approach, and your passengers can jump out as vou fly by.”

Cessna (laughing):
“How about I just use Runway Six?”

Peter Schoaff
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.