Short Final

Several years ago, I was flying from John Wayne (KSNA) to Big Bear (L35) on a route that crossed that of arriving traffic into Ontario (KONT). It was the anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, well into the holiday gift-buying season. … East of Ontario, SoCal instructed me to alter course 20 degrees to the right to avoid traffic at my 10 o’clock, a southwest-bound 757 descending out of 8,000 feet. My traffic was a UPS cargo flight headed into Ontario, no doubt laden with gifts from the North Pole. … After we passed, SoCal instructed me to resume my own nav. I replied, “Never let it be said that this Piper driver doesn’t give way to Santa Claus.” Chuckles ensued on 134.0! — Tom Corbett

Editorial Staff

Updated Jun 13, 2019 8:59 PM EDT

Several years ago, I was flying from John Wayne (KSNA) to Big Bear (L35) on a route that crossed that of arriving traffic into Ontario (KONT). It was the anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight, well into the holiday gift-buying season.

East of Ontario, SoCal instructed me to alter course 20 degrees to the right to avoid traffic at my 10 o'clock, a southwest-bound 757 descending out of 8,000 feet. My traffic was a UPS cargo flight headed into Ontario, no doubt laden with gifts from the North Pole.

After we passed, SoCal instructed me to resume my own nav. I replied, "Never let it be said that this Piper driver doesn't give way to Santa Claus." Chuckles ensued on 134.0!

Tom Corbett

Editorial StaffAVweb