NOTE: For those of you unfamiliar with the term "CFI," it stands for
Certificated Flight Instructor. A Cessna is a light aircraft,
usually containing two or four seats.
This CFI and his 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 XXX 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 XXX cleared for take-off, runway NN.
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 XXX, uh, there's a deer down here on the runway.
(long pause)
Tower: Roger XXX, hold your position. Deer on runawy NN 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 XXX cleared for departure, runway NN. Caution wake
turbulence, departing deer.
It had to be tough keeping that Cessna rolling straight for take-off.
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