Short Final: Competition Parking

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • At the Valdez, Alaska fly-in and STOL competition, a Cessna known for bush flying and a Lake amphibian arrived.
  • The air traffic controller asked the Cessna if it was competing or just parking, to which the Cessna replied it was competing.
  • However, the controller only instructed the Lake amphibian to park, implicitly assuming it would not compete due to its aircraft type.
  • Despite the Lake pilot's protest, the controller did not offer the competition option, and the Lake proceeded to park.
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At Valdez, Alaska for the annual fly‑in and STOL competition, a couple of planes arrived in short succession: a tailwheel Cessna with big Alaskan Bushwheel tires, followed by a Lake amphibian (not known for its short takeoff or landing capabilities).

Tower: “Cessna 123, turn left if you’re competing, or right if you’re just here to park.”

Cessna: “Cessna 123, turning left for competition parking.”

Tower: “Lake 456, turn right to park.”

Lake: “Hey, you’re not going to ask me if I’m competing?”

He didn’t ask. The Lake turned right.

Jim Freeman
Mobile, AL
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