x-country solo

"Joe Johnson" wrote in
. com:

The one comment I would make is that the fact that they reported no
radar contact, IMHO, is not enough to justify cancelling the approach
(or anywhere near "unfathomable" as you describe). Had they said
"Radar Contact, 9 miles East" when you thought you were entering the
pattern, I might have been more inclined to ask for immediate help...

Roger.


The only reason I use the above example is because it actually happened to
me on my first night Cross Country. I was headed to Stewart (SWF), a Class
D, from HPN (White Plains) where I am based. Field in sight, called the
tower, and they instructed me to report entering a left downwind for Runway
9.

As I am coming up on the downwind, I call in - entering the midfield
downwind for 9. A few seconds later he asks me to ident. A few seconds
later he tells me he "Radar Contact, 9 miles east of the airport."

I'm looking at a runway now, figuring I'm about 2 miles out entering the
midfield downwind. After asking him to say again, I realize what's going
on... Orange County (MJG) is about 8 or 9 miles east of SWF. I'm setting up
for Runway 8 at Orange. Fortunately, it's not a controlled field, so there
was no issue of busting. Plus this was before 9/11, so it might not have
been a big deal even if it was.


But you want to know what the real kicker is?



My instructor was sitting in the right seat, had flown to both those fields
many times before, and his blinders were on just like mine were! This
flying stuff gets the best of all of us every now and then!