DISORIENTED IN BAD WEATHER | Helpful Controller Saves his Day!

[@VASAviation]

Hey pilot, give that controller a beer! UNTRIMMED VERSION with Full ATC and Radar Scope -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHfFoZSaeMSsebM

[@Crosbie85]

Why make it unlisted tho?

[@BouillaBased]

A beer? Try a case of whatever he chooses!

[@babygrrlpc5057]

Negative, sir - that controller gets a full steak dinner with dessert. Amazingly done. That’s how you save someone’s life ❤

[@chrispbacon550]

That made me tear up. That controller is a hero. Not only did he realize what was going on immediately, he took control of the situation and helped that clearly disoriented pilot survive that flight. We hear almost daily these days of a pilot that is not current in IMC crash and die. That controller probably saved his life. Period. Amazing job sir!

[@SomeRandomGuy789]

Him also reaching out to the pilots for the cloud layer was an excellent idea as well. Great utilization of resources.

[@davidmartin123]

Agreed. Accounts like this are reassuring that there are people out there doing the right thing every day; here, the controller recognizing a pilot in distress and providing help when they need it the most. Thanks for sharing!

[@scottwarner7264]

I think the controller remaining calm, kept the pilot calm.

[@VASAviation]

Absolutely!

[@RickOSidhe]

That was an AMAZING job by the controller. Identified the disorientation in IMC, gave the pilot every option to get get it sorted it out, then provided perfect guidance until he reported airport in sight. NEVER lost his situational awareness & kept calm, cool, and collected throughout the incident. BRAVO!

[@andysmith3087]

Exceptional controller.

[@Dbag5000]

This controller might have saved the pilot's life.

[@atcair33]

Might have? He absolutely did

[@klauspeter-klausen470]

Controller clearly knows his job and the area. Good to have him in aviation. Saved the day.

[@AkilanNarayanaswamy]

A+ controller

[@CantCriticize]

Whatever that controller is making as a salary, it isnt enough. Amazing work, above and beyond.

[@JDrapic]

Those antenna warnings were a nice touch with the cloud base just about kissing the top of them

[@VASAviation]

Indeed

[@thomasdalton1508]

Yes, that was good work. Usually, a controller would just tell you the minimum sector altitude, but he needed more precise information so he could safely get below the clouds and the controller understood that so did what was needed instead of following standard procedures. That was a great judgment call.

[@Xanthopteryx]

@@thomasdalton1508 Standard procedure really is what was done here: Listen in to the problems and acting on the best way possible.

[@thomasdalton1508]

@@Xanthopteryx That's a principle rather than a procedure.

[@dukeofrodtown1705]

That controller = absolute legend. Somebody get this guy a pint and a raise already (another fantastic post from VASAviation as always)

[@Jmjbs]

From another controller, excellent work - this is Archie League Award worthy. Hopefully someone who knows them can nominate them next time around. This is what it's all about.

[@ztaylor350]

Only if they're in the union

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

​@@ztaylor350because labor unions could never acknowledge a job well done by anyone who doesn't pay dues.

[@zander2830]

​@@hewhohasnoidentity4377Or bc this award is literally a NATCA award and is only open to NATCA members...

[@Blast6926]

That low attitude alert sound on the background 6:04 🫣

[@BaptisteSauvage-k4s]

... FANTASTIC job from the controller!! He identified something was off on his own, then helped as much as he possibly could, while keeping doing his job for the rest of the planes. What a great job, he deserve some recognition!

[@atcair33]

First thing they teach you in flight school is to admit you have a problem. I think he kept the controller a little confused because he never said he was in IMC. The controller figured it out on his own but he shouldn't have had to waste time doing that. The controller needs a raise and a promotion. He literally saved that pilot's life. He kept him from getting emotional and making mistakes and kept paying attention to him and trying to give him the right advice. Absolutely the best job I've ever heard of controller do in all my years.

[@BillySugger1965]

What a wonderful job by that controller! And the pilot did well to keep his cool in the challenging circumstances too.

[@piparalegal2019]

Excellent controller! What a great guy. I'd happily buy him a drink for saving that pilot's life!

[@jerrydunn3004]

You know you're having a bad day when the controller says...."uggghhh...let me get out the antenna map."

[@mjmcmull2000]

it seems that too often in these situations i hear the controller reprimanding the pilot (eg "WHAT are you DOING" etc), causing further disorientation, before eventually recognizing the gravity of the situation; this was very refreshing to hear;

[@Erik_The_Viking]

They should clone this controller. What a great job of helping the pilot and getting others to help out. We need more of this guy! Someone buy him a beer!

[@ljfinger]

This should be a training video.

[@Sportie3]

@@ljfingerI was thinking the same thing. The controller’s attitude, quick recognition of the pilot’s disorientation, and use of pireps in the heat of the moment was impeccable work!

[@GreatDataVideos]

Sounds like he needs to get with a CFII and get some real IMC flying in. When the weather was going to be rainy all day in Florida (pretty rare), I would call my instructor and say, "Looks like a great day to go flying." We would look for the airports where we would be in the clouds and fly some approaches down to minimums. This built in me the confidence flying in actual IMC by myself and came in very handy at times. So easy to get disoriented otherwise.

[@HeroOfTheDay545]

Damn straight. When the clouds rolled in and all the other instructors were cancelling, I'd get my private and instrument students in for some actual. Those who only know the foggles have NO idea what they're in for the first time they fly in IMC. I almost think it's irresponsible to let students get three hours of hood time and say "yep, that's what flying in the clouds is like."

[@GreatDataVideos]

@@HeroOfTheDay545 I put all of that training to good use when I had to land my Saratoga at Tampa International where the controller put me way off centerline and I had to fly a fast ILS approach. Broke out at minimums right on the centerline! Without that training I would have been toast.

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

@@GreatDataVideos affirmative!

[@Sportie3]

Impeccable work from the controller - his attitude, quick recognition of the pilot’s disorientation, and use of pireps in the heat of the moment possibly saved this pilot’s life. This would be a great training video for new and current air traffic controllers as a reminder that pilots are plagued with human factors which diminish performance, especially during the night or in IMC.

[@baron1405]

This controller is an inspiration to everyone. He is a not job function but a craftsman ensuring that his airspace is safe for everyone in it regardless of their skill level or circumstance. We should all be this blessed to encounter people like this in our daily lives. He should receive an commendation.

[@MrMegaMario64]

It always brings a smile to my face when I see someone who can take on a rough situation and make the best case scenario out of it. Well done to this ATC here!

[@theaviazone1668]

amazing job by the controller identifying this as a dangerous situation and helping the pilot back to safety 😄. 100% deserves a bonus on next months paycheck.

[@Crosbie85]

Glad he got back safely! Amazing controller textbook perfection

[@anonymousperson8998]

It’s very hard to fight the feeling your ears are giving you when your eyes are telling you something different.

[@adb012]

This controlled may have done things that he is not authorized to do like making suggestions to the pilot and even insinuating that he descends below the lowest vectoring altitude. BRAVO!

[@Xanthopteryx]

"I am here for you!" The best thing a controller can say in a bad situation!

[@mendel5106]

There is nothing better than an alert ATC controller, when it comes to saving lives.

[@chrisk5437]

What a pro! Job well done sir!

[@davidburke709]

Pilot had an angel on his shoulder and one working the scope.

[@jimgandee2570]

Most excellent job ATC! You saved lives!

[@patrickwilliams311]

WOW. Exceptional job by this controller. He should be proud of himself. Keep up the great work

[@valerierodger]

So many pilots get themselves killed because they can’t bring themselves to admit that they need help. The controller did an excellent job of identifying that he was in trouble and made it very easy for him to accept help

[@deantait8326]

Spectacular! We all should be grateful! Thank you, sir!

[@billlyl3725]

Fantastic job, controller!!

[@uniqueurl]

ATC : I have a number for you to call , as soon as you land. This time it must be a wholesome talk with the ATC

[@JDrapic]

I think he just wants to verify he got down safely after all that

[@uniqueurl]

@@JDrapic of course it is sir.

[@VASAviation]

Buy him a beer

[@kaptainkaos1202]

Years ago my work group was doing some communications research work using a Cessna 210. We had a lot of equipment packed in the back and I had displays and controls around me in the copilots seat. Weather and specifically precipitation affected our communications so on a nasty Mid Atlantic fall day we flew. We spent a lot of time dodging clouds until it seemed like they just surrounded us solidly. While the pilot had an IFR rating I don’t think he was comfortable IFR. We were about 125NM from base when we called it a day and started back. I had been wanting to call it a day for the last hour because of decreasing visibility and getting bumped around light to just above light chop. We were quickly in the goo and I could hear our rental pilots voice getting very anxious. As turbulence increased a bit more he was white knuckling it so I offered assistance with COMMS. While not a pilot myself I had over 3,000 hours in the P-3 as a radio operator so was accustomed to COMMS. I can still remember getting into some weird attitudes and asking him if he’s alright and he’d snap at me. I think he was getting disoriented and I did my best to calmly talk to him. My butt was puckering but I kept telling him he’s doing good, keep his eyes on the gauges and believe them. He’d look up and outside the cockpit then get white faced. This went on for over an hour and I was sweating. About 15 NM from base we were close enough we could descend some. Being Western Maryland the altitude isn’t great but I sure AF didn’t want to hit a hill. We landed safely and pulled up to the hangar we had rented. I told my head engineer from now on me or the pilot makes the decision to RTB not him or ANYONE on the ground. Me and the pilot didn’t even do data downloads but walked off, went to dinner and got really drunk. I don't drink so getting drunk was very easy. We went up the next day since time is money but made damn sure us in the aircraft had the definitive NO VOTE. I’m due to retire in the next few months and I’ll miss the excitement.

[@anniesmith9030]

Great Job Michael!!!!!

[@-strauss1560]

AMAZING CONTROLLER! Professionals like him should be in every tower.

[@loupitou06fl]

Hats off to that controller, cool, collected, went above and beyond for 70LB while managing the other aircrafts, getting useful info from other pilots and relaying them to the distressed pilot. Bravo !

[@dannyrvideo]

Awesome work.

[@paulstejskal]

Well done. He didn’t chastise the pilot but realized he probably wasn’t IFC rated or highly skilled. Great work.

[@officerlawnmower]

That’s what a professional sounds like.

[@CPcamaro]

Great job by that controller noticing an issue and responding to help, rather than berating the pilot like some controllers I've heard.

[@MarcMadoc]

This controller deserves a raise!

[@N1120A]

What a great controller

[@kathrynslye471]

Spectacular job by the controller! He remained reassuringly calm and clear with useful instructions and information! So nice to know such great controllers are out there! It was sweet that he was worried about his airspeed, but the M7-235 is STOL with VS0 of around 35kts and VS1 at around 48kts - heck if you are faster than 50-55kts on final she’s not landing with the barn doors down. In contrast, if this was NY App all the pilot would have received was a snarky “70LB what are you doing?! (*giant perturbed sigh*) You know what 70LB remain clear of my airspace and don’t call me for the next 10 minutes!”

[@wickras]

This is so satisfying to watch. Great job by ATC!!

[@cesarqueti]

nice to see a good ending video

[@danniballecter7936]

That controller was on his A game that day. Excellent job of maintaining situational awareness, remaining calm, and great communication.

[@jasonbabila6006]

Both pilot and controller were calm with clear communications, I’m sure the other pilots knew the situation and kept the airwaves clear.

[@tpf340]

A great controller, not only did he save the day he saved a life

[@RichardCollette]

Super calm controller. Medal moment.

[@fhuber7507]

ATC saved his life that day.

[@dominicdahlheimer6861]

HERO = ATC!

[@WillyGrippo]

ATC is a steely-eyed missile-man. Get him a raise!

[@cdub2727]

I took my Discovery out of this airport. Crazy to see my local area featured on this channel.

[@paradiserelaxation6081]

Wow, the controller was insane! Nice job.

[@Homer554]

Live in Pittsburgh and I’d love to buy that guy a few beers

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

affirmative! Roger!

[@barryo5158]

Excellent!

[@jamesmiller2322]

This controller is absolutely first rate!

[@retiredandcrusty]

Controller is a rock star 👏🏾

[@austinlawler3739]

At the end was the politest way to say "possible pilot divination, call the tower."

[@jacques6593]

I think the controller wanted to know if the guy made it safely to the ground.

[@ClausB252]

If that pilot did not thank that controller from the ground then I'll thank him for a great job!

[@Miata822]

Hero controller.

[@Garythefireman66]

This controller should be able to decide where he works next. Exactly what the FAA needs

[@garythompson2517]

Glue your eyes to those instruments, and concentrate. Good job..controller.

[@peterthoshinsky6468]

Carburetor ice seems likely. In IMC. Dew point and ambient temperature only 2° apart too bad nobody suggested carb heat on the radio frequency. Speculation only. Good job by all involved!

[@VASAviation]

I remember teaching my students that carb ice can form with up to 30ºC outside temperatures. You just need humidity and pressure for it to build up. Might be a reason here.

[@thomasdalton1508]

My speculation is that he was having difficulty keeping the wings level in IMC. You'll always get worse climb performance in a turn. If he didn't realise he was in a turn, he would be surprised he wasn't climbing.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

@@thomasdalton1508 I sometimes wonder how that can happen. Not looking at the artificial horizon and the airspeed is as unimaginable to me like not looking at the speedometer in my car while I'm driving.

[@thomasdalton1508]

@@Quotenwagnerianer If I had to guess, I would say he became fixated on his altitude and didn't look at his other instruments. That's why you are trained to have a specific instrument scan that takes in all of them. Becoming fixated on one can be deadly.

[@bigblue207]

@@Quotenwagnerianerthat’s why it’s so disorienting!! Imagine it was super dark out and you couldn’t really see outside. As you depress the brake, you see the speedometer actually begins increasing. You’d say “wtf”. Imagine how disorienting and weird it would be to trust that the speedometer was correct. Now imagine that in 3 dimensions. It actually helps a little bit, as you have more clues to the actual attitude and performance you’re experiencing. But it still takes great task management and prioritization to be able to take all those numbers and turn them into meaningful kinematic information. When you panic you’re wont to fall back on your body’s sense of space which is incorrect. So you have to realize, for instance if you’re climbing when you don’t mean to, you actually have to pitch down, and your brain is telling you you’re leaving level flight to head for the ground. Very difficult. You’re honestly acting against instinct if it’s a bad enough case. I don’t think it’s that people aren’t seeing their indications, although that could be pretty common as well, they just find it very hard to trust them. And that’s why the cross check becomes so important, as the other comment alluded to, subconsciously you can be locked on to your attitude and trying to reconcile the indication with your internal sense, not realizing the airspeed is bleeding off. Maybe you subconsciously pull throttle in an effort to “slow things down” and you won’t catch it unless you force yourself to look away from the attitude indicator and check the airspeed. So not only are you trying to get a sense of what’s giving you trouble, but it’s a sign to keep a closer eye on all the other indicators as well to get the full picture. That’s why the rule is “aviate, then navigate, then communicate”. As dangerous as spatial disorientation is, I think it can be kind of invigorating in a weird way when you learn to trust your instruments. It’s like the ultimate trust fall with yourself and your plane. Now, there’s always the possibility that your instruments have failed or a pitot tube is clogged or iced up or something, in which case your instruments may be lying to you. Even then, you have other indications like your rpm and mag compass or turn indicator that can get you by. But it’s one of those things that maybe if you ever had the chance to experience in a flight sim or something would be really eye opening but you’d obviously never hope to actually experience in real life; as I said even hardy instrument pilots can fall victim to it for any number of reasons.

[@899Dakota]

Not even a thank you? Controller top class❤ pro.

[@_Bryant.R]

That fella owes the controller a steak dinner after that.

[@einokalonen1313]

Quite scary. When the pilot is disoriented, the plane will of course react differently than he expects.

[@JohnWolffPortraits]

Sounded like Mr. Rogers!!

[@bethl7602]

It *is* Pittsburgh

[@JohnWolffPortraits]

@@bethl7602 I knew it!

[@georgewchilds]

aviation is a team sport.

[@TheDAVE858]

BZ ATC!! Awesome job!

[@aircraftfilms1027]

YOOO, that’s the airport I fly at all the time!

[@gregizzo8349]

Very attentive ATC, clear communication and full attention on situational awareness… This is awesome! Glad everyone ended safely on the ground.

[@HATCHETHAS]

The controller deserves a medal and the pilot needs more training!

[@TAGsRC]

Some of these pilot interactions make me wonder if the FAA is conducting these as safety audits of its controllers.

[@aaronlee2240]

Controller = Legend

[@triviszla1536]

shoutout to the controller

[@craig7350]

Those controllers at Kennedy could take some lessons from this guy.

[@mf77867]

And people think artificial intelligence can do our job of controlling.

[@kevlosent6375]

No they dont

[@mf77867]

@@kevlosent6375 yes they do. I’ve been in many arguments with people who think our job serves little purpose.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

wonder if the controller is also a pilot... seems to be really aware of the situation the pilot is in. I mean... he is doing an awesome job whatever his background, but seems that one bit more knowledgeable and on the top of the situation than a controller usually is.

[@elcastorgrande]

Air traffic CONTROLLER.

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

ATC definitely saved the day Absolutely exceptional job. The pilot on the other hand has no business flying IFR. Affirmative leema braavo. Affirmative what? I don't know why its not climbing or turning or keeping speed. Um, I don't think its the plane dude. Affirmative!

[@PlaneSpotterRVer314]

Try figuring out what happened to Air Canada 1060 from Vancouver to Las Vegas. It diverted back right after departure

[@KennethAGrimm]

That was genuine white knuckles. With only 850 feet between the ground and the cloud bases, this was strictly IFR conditions. Add hills and antennas reaching within 200 feet of the cloud bases, that is a nightmare. (For legal VFR in that area, the cloud base must be at least 2750 feet MSL to maintain 500' below clouds and 1000' AGL.)

[@nitehawk86]

Flightradar24 shows a destination in Michigan, and he took off through the clouds, so he must have been IFR. I don't understand what happened.

[@KennethAGrimm]

@@nitehawk86 IFH - "Instrument Flight Hopeful"

[@JoeRantCT]

Whew. You never know how those are going to turn out. If I was on the frequency I would have yelled up blue side up blue side up and level. Stop listening to your body and start paying attention to your eyes. I know it's easier said than done though. I do have my instrument rating and have even done hard IMC at night. Strangely I've never been spatially disoriented. Don't know why.

[@RobisonRacing68]

Interesting but N70LB is a Maule with floats. Great job by the controller.

[@nitehawk86]

The last flight into the river shows he almost never went above 3000ft. Tallest hills around there are 1500ft, and the river is 720. You don't see many floatplanes in Pittsburgh, so maybe skimming the river under the KPIT bravo is a normal thing to do?

[@chaitanyak4455]

Icing can be serious.

[@Tesserae]

Is this the same Butler that was in the news recently?

[@mkopin]

Yes, just a bit north of Pittsburgh

[@richardgray1431]

Wow!!

[@tommaxwell429]

Not sure what the pilot's issue was. It would be great to get a follow up. Was there an aircraft problem or did he get disoriented? He said he couldn't climb so perhaps there was an aircraft issue.

[@sharpjs]

VFR into IMC can be very disorienting. Your eyes and feel for gravity lie to you. You have to learn to ignore those and trust your instruments.

[@major__kong]

I think he had spatial D. His inability to climb is most likely the somatogravic illusion in his brain. I don't think there was anything wrong with the plane.

[@spacedriver24]

Disorientated

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

So what was the issue with the aircraft any word

[@Guysm1l3y]

Most likely the meat-based control actuator between the yoke and seat.

[@krukawa7862]

How about near mid air collision at SFO??

[@VASAviation]

How about it?

[@krukawa7862]

@@VASAviation can you make a video of the incident?

[@小小-o4g]

哪里可以看