Short Final: Mirage Alert

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot received an automated traffic alert and a subsequent tower warning about another aircraft while on approach to Reid-Hillview airport.
  • After the pilot reported not seeing the traffic, the tower identified it as a "Mirage," leading the pilot to humorously quip, "No wonder I can't see them," which amused the air traffic controller.
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I was inbound for landing at Reid‐Hillview airport and had a traffic alert off to my left, 300 feet higher and faster. About a minute after the traffic alert the tower told me I had traffic above and to the left of me. I replied that I did not have traffic in sight. Tower said, “It’s a Mirage.” I replied, “No wonder I can’t see them,” eliciting a chuckle out of the tower guy.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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