Short Final: Reading Level
We were at 7,000 feet, in and out of clouds, destination a VFR-only airport. Thinking it might be hard to get below the clouds...
Short Final: Giving Way
Our local airport has one strip, one departure, and a mix of general aviation and airliner traffic. Airliners often have a fixed wheels-up time...
Short Final: Switching To Guns
I heard the following around my home airport: Cessna 1234M: “Cessna N1234M, four miles northeast for landing with Echo. Full stop.” Tower: “34M turn right base....
Short Final: What’s In A Name?
Traveling southwest to New Orleans through southern Mississippi, our IFR clearance always includes a pair of VORs, EWA and LBY, to steer clear of...
Short Final: Tappan Zee Bridge
As a new pilot I was nervous about ATC communications … until I heard this exchange. Now I know they are human after all. As...
Short Final: Properly Performed Maneuvers
On a recent trip, I came across the NOTAM shown above and had to chuckle a bit. Well, at least they’re not planning any...
Short Final: Waypoint
On one of my first IFR flights, my filed route ended JFK‑COL‑KBLM but Clearance told me to drop the Colts Neck VOR (COL) and...
Short Final: IDENT
I’m originally from eastern North Carolina, and have family in Greenville, North Carolina. My office has a business in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and several...
Short Final: Ready For A Push
My brother‑in‑law told me of an incident at a Class C airport where he parked for a day or so. Upon returning to his...
Short Final: Vectors
On a recent LightHawk flight, we were approaching Willow Run, Michigan, just before sunset. The weather was clear enough for a visual approach to...