Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A 19-year-old private pilot requested flight following while en route.
  • When asked for her location, altitude, and destination by ATC, she only provided "San Antonio" after a long pause.
  • ATC instructed her to call back once she had her required information organized.
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Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section
Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air”

En route from San Antonio, Texas to Kerb Wille, I let my 19-year-old private pilot daughter run the radios:

daughter:
“Center, Piper Five Six Six Seven Romeo.”

Center:
“Piper Six Seven Romeo, go ahead.”

daughter:
“Request flight following.”

Center:
“Piper Six Seven Romeo, state vour location, altitude, and destination.”

[long pause]

daughter:
“Uh, San Antonio.”

[another pause]

Center:
“Piper Six Seven Romeo, when you figure out where you are and where you want to go, give us a call back.”

James Crawford
via e-mail

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