Wake Turbulence

This instructor and a student are holding on the runway for departing cross traffic when
suddenly a deer runs out of the nearby woods, stops in the middle of the runway, and just
stands there looking at them.

Tower: Cessna ABC cleared for take-off.

Std: "What should I do? What should I do?"

Inst: "What do you think you should do?"

(think-think-think)

Std: "Maybe if I taxi toward him it'll scare him away."

Inst: "That's a good idea."

(Taxis toward deer, but deer is macho, and holds position.)

Tower: Cessna ABC cleared for take-off, runway 19.

Std: "What should I do? What should I do?"

Inst: "What do you think you should do?"

(think-think-think)

Std: "Maybe I should tell the tower."

Inst: "That's a good idea."

Std: "Cessna ABC, uh, there's a deer down here on the runway."

(long pause)

Tower: Roger ABC, hold your position. Deer on runway 19 cleared for immediate departure.
(Two seconds, and then--I presume by coincidence--the deer bolts from the runway, and runs
back into the woods.)

Tower: Cessna ABC cleared for departure, runway 19. Caution wake turbulence, departing deer.

- It had to be tough keeping that Cessna rolling straight for take-off. 

Back to PSTAR Section 7 - Wake Turbulence

This page written 3 July 2003 by Robyn Stewart.