Cleared for Takeoff...

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.

Student: "What should I do? What should I do?"
Instructor: "What do you think you should do?"

(think-think-think)

Student: "Maybe if I taxi toward him it'll scare him away."
Instructor: "That's a good idea."

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

Tower: Cessna XXX cleared for take-off, runway NN.

Student: "What should I do? What should I do?"
Instructor: "What do you think you should do?"

(think-think-think)

Student: "Maybe I should tell the tower."
Instructor: "That's a good idea."
Student: Cessna XXX, uh, there's a deer down here on the runway.

(long pause)

Tower: Roger XXX, hold your position. Deer on runway 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.

last update: 18 January 1999