November 21, 2011 Short Final

Email this article |Print this article

Sad but true. I was en route to Winchester, north of the DC area, when I heard a pilot in a Piper making this request:

Piper:
"I am low on fuel and need to go direct Martinsburg."

Potomac:
"Sir, I cannot give you direct Martinsburg. That route would take you through P40."

Piper:
"But I am low on fuel and need direct Martinsburg."

Potomac:
"Sir, if you are concerned about fuel I can give you vectors to Gaithersburg."

Piper:
"If you give me direct Martinsburg, I won't need to stop for fuel."

Potomac:
"Sir, If you went direct Martinsburg from your position, it would put you right in the middle of P40 and fuel would be the least of your worries."

June Smith
via e-mail