Short Final: Windy

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article recounts a humorous exchange between an air traffic control tower and a C-17 pilot in the High Desert of Southern California, an area known for strong, gusty winds.
  • During approach practice, the tower informed the C-17 crew of winds at 25 knots gusting to 37.
  • The C-17 pilot then inquired if the wind "always blows like this."
  • The tower humorously replied, "No (pause), sometimes it blows hard," implying that such strong winds are a regular and sometimes even greater challenge.
See a mistake? Contact us.

I fly in the High Desert of Southern California. We often get very strong, gusty winds. While practicing approaches, I heard this interaction between tower and a C-17 crew, also practicing.

Tower: “…wind 200 at 25 gusting to 37, cleared for the option Runway 17.”

C-17 pilot after acknowledging information: “Does the wind always blow like this?”

Tower: “No (pause), sometimes it blows hard.”

George White

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.