Real Pilot Story: Trapped On Top

[@steveo1kinevo]

Love these videos! Pilots can never stop learning and these videos teach you a lot.

[@crwdavis]

+steveo1kinevo Amen Brother.

[@guntherultraboltnovacrunch5248]

+Chris Davis I'm not pilot. Just enjoy pilot vglogs (thanks Steveo) and these videos. As a laymen, I'm suprised you are allowed to become a pilot without being IFR trained.

[@mikepaz4870]

I just discovered this you tube channel.....it is illustrative of why I am enamored of your Uber Professional Piloting by seeing you using this to keep you in a constant learning curve. Outstanding Steveo

[@unplug7776]

Steveo whats up? Cool to see you watch other pilot videos. I think ive seen all of yours once or twice.

[@andrewarato696]

Couldn't agree more.

[@cs512tr]

"i am ifr but i am not current" that straight up humble honesty would have contributed to him being alive today.

[@Ryan_Thompson]

​@Julian Martov Only a small percentage of GA pilots (in the US at least) maintain IFR currency. He also took off with max fuel. Errors were definitely made that resulted in emergency fuel situation, but your knee-jerk reaction missed the point by a nautical mile. You're also calling someone's actions idiotic (and, weirdly, annoying) when you clearly don't understand the subject yourself.

[@jqb101]

He lived man. He's literally telling his story...

[@enshk79]

That’s exactly the kind of pilot I can trust

[@Yosetime]

@@jqb101 I think he meant to say that the honesty helped him survive. I had to read it twice.

[@Arkeze]

Being ATC, all the hectic days and stressful situations are worth that one day where a pilot tells you that you saved his life.

[@patfarra627]

Cody Columbia From a retired airline guy I have appreciated act many a time. True professionals . Except for a couple

[@AstoundingAmelia]

@David Miorgan proof?

[@marcbolland6992]

@David Miorgan what right do you have to say this ??

[@matteframe]

I fly 747 jumbo airbus.. so i appreciate EVERYTHING you do. My hero.

[@Ya-average-11B]

That's cool bro and I'll bet. Question tho what kind of training did you need to work as an atc? Did you do special schooling on your own or did the company pay for it? Just curious is all.

[@sarowie]

This is so far the best episode of your series I have seen. The pilot beeing alive and the controllers having a face makes this episode so strong.

[@postolio1]

I love when he said "we want to teach you how to do it right, not punish you when you do it wrong." Great video

[@dburton7929]

I'm an agent of the Federal government and I'm here to help...... How could this possibly go wrong ?#%π&?

[@BangStickky]

Now, about that $10,000 fine because "we helped!"

[@charlesshipman446]

Of course they want to get you down safe...... how else can they fine you $20,000, impound an aircraft you hired and have loads of lovely helpful government agents waiting to drag you off at gunpoint. ...

[@oneworld9071]

Imagine THAT becoming viral in Corporate America.

[@PickUps]

@@charlesshipman446 elaborate... got examples

[@RobotLegJim]

Keeping secrets from the tower is more deadly than keeping them from your doctor. Never, EVER minimize your situation with the ground!

[@Elukka]

It's interestingly similar psychologically. Rationally you know there is absolutely no reason to do so, but people just naturally do it. Humans are prone to hiding weaknesses and mistakes due to some inborn sense that they might get in trouble for it. Animals often hide illnesses and mistakes, too.

[@Yosetime]

@@Elukka I agree. It could also be due to his age. Not because he's old but because of the way he was brought up. Things were very different when he was younger. You had to rely on yourself a whole lot more. You were expected to be independent and mistakes were not tolerated in the same way they are now. That could have played a part in his decision to keep going despite the fact that he knew he was running out of time.

[@pip12111]

Tip. Keep your instrument rating current

[@ctsteve1967]

why ? he did just fine. And what would that have done for this flight

[@anonincognito617]

Then he could have landed at his destination with no problems.

[@FlightSimulatorXATC]

Especially in the PNW. It’s practically a requirement.

[@tylisirn]

@@ctsteve1967 Request an IFR plan through the clouds instead of looking for a VFR hole.

[@smaze1782]

He could’ve just shot an approach and just worried about the implications later. We’re talking about your life here.

[@peachtrees27]

Excellent video thank you. The last comment by the pilot might be the most important: If your alternate is unavailable, MAKE THE CALL...

[@Mike-01234]

Nice to see a happy ending we usually never hear about.

[@KarlH1980]

Never hear about doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I can't recall the name of the data set, but statistically speaking for every incident where there is a severe consequence, the scenario has played out about 29,000 times without the severe consequence. With the energies involved that may be much less in aviation but the number is still surprisingly high. When I was doing my initial consideration of flight training and looking at fatal incidents in the NTSB database I realized how easy it must be to A: get into bad weather and B: run out of fuel. Those are the most common reasons why GA pilots die. I'm a pretty non-detail oriented person in day-to-day life. That's because I can't moderate my OCD nature. It's either on or off. When it comes to pre-flight prep including the stuff mentioned above, I don't try to moderate. I'm all on. I don't want to be in that group that gets into bad weather to find out how unlucky I might be:)

[@Mike-01234]

I was kind of referring to news reporting of General Aviation crashes they never report the ones that turn out like this did. In this situation the pilot waited until he was almost out of fuel before asking ATC for help. He did look check the weather but lot of times weather changes quickly as they point out in the video once he could not get down to his alternate airport he should have contacted ATC for help.

[@stewiegriffin6503]

Thailand has many happy endings.

[@suzyrottencrotch5132]

I would imagine most of us make mistakes were never going to tell anyone else about

[@ctsteve1967]

@@stewiegriffin6503 hell ya they do

[@HiTechRob]

I am so thankful for these videos. Pilots need to spend time with ATC at a local controlled airport. They are great people who CARE about helping pilots and keeping pilots safe. I truly believe these videos help me be a better student of flying.

[@JWH-01]

ATC is like any other big group of people. You have some great people and some real jerks. I know dozens of them personally.

[@slyfox1983]

That’s an awesome idea!!!! So they can see from the other side. Like a police ride along.

[@slyfox1983]

John Hempel what makes them jerks? I’m learning......

[@RadioMarkCroom]

So great to watch one of these videos with a happy ending. Too many of them are just tragic and post-mortem rather than having a survivor who gets to tell the story. Kudos to the controllers who kept their heads and to the pilot to listened at the last minute and got his focus off the wrong runway. So many lessons here, thanks to ASI for making this available.

[@JimmysTractor]

The key is to put your ego aside and ask for help.

[@ctsteve1967]

easy to say, hard to do. we all think that ATC is out to get you

[@b.h.6599]

this applies to most things in life

[@dougcrane956]

ATC is ego driven! At times they will route you all around in their airspace, when asking for a transition! Just to encourage you to fly around their airspace instead of transitioning. Very very common at PDX. With attitude!

[@JimmysTractor]

@@girlofthealpines That is what they don't get- how close they are to dying- if they understood that, It would be easy to even beg for help. It is for that same reason that people die in Cirrus aircraft when a simple pull on the emergency bale to release the rocket propelled parachute would have saved their life. Dying from not pulling the bale is a true tragedy.

[@mhern57]

@@girlofthealpines Unless it's driving sleepy of course. Then the death option is okay.

[@Bankable2790]

The pilot seems like such a nice, gentle, and humble man.

[@vgrof2315]

Way too nice, way too gentle, way too humble to be a serious pilot. I hope he has given up flying.

[@keywestjj]

Whoa! So reminds me of my scariest flying "incident"! I was a newly minted, cocky Instrument Rated pilot flying my [certified and properly equipped] Cherokee 140(!?!) in actual IMC .... but had never encountered ICE! While I'm reporting this to ATC my engine quit - I'd run my first tank dry - BUT had plenty in the other - never declared an emergency but learned a LOT from that escapade! Ken's saving grace was admitting what he'd got himself into and asking for help. Those controllers deserve kudos ad awards!

[@ndsmudlogger4061]

I like the pilot’s old timey use of the word “why”.

[@jamesidso1748]

I'm with Andrew Roberts. As soon as the pilot sensed trouble, he could have gotten vectors into Moses Lake, and likely landed with at least 45 minutes of fuel. No real sweat. His non-currency would have been easier to handle in a low traffic area with huge runways and fuel to burn. When the weather in this area fails to perform as forecast, look out. Make alternate plans immediately and be prepared to use them.

[@arthurmontana8791]

"As soon as the pilot sensed trouble"? That's always a very vague barometer. What's worse; it's always a far easier determination to make after the fact.

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen. Exactly what pilots want to see/hear/know. Well, very well done.

[@chrismoody1342]

As the son of a Mooney pilot I’m glad my father was not ever caught in a bad situation. He flew weekly on trips of 500-600Nm as part of his business covering a 5 State area. Most worrisome trip was across western Kansas heading to Wichita. He planned his fuel, but consumption per mile was elevated as he encountered unexpected head head winds reducing his ground speed and Nm per gallon. He prudently found an alternative county airport straight away to take on fuel. He also been wise to not get caught trying to takeoff at high density altitudes or hot deserts. Thanks Pop for all the family memories and a safe lifetime of flying.

[@pursueadventure]

These videos are GOLD!! Thank you for making them available. To the pilot who allowed this video to be published and to share his experience, thank you! There is no telling the number lives that have been saved from these videos. I'll be the first to admit I am very hesitant to call up ATC, this video has broken down some of those barriers.

[@billwood4182]

A great wake up call! Thank god for our professional aviation controllers and our airspace system.

[@jazzdad24]

Everyone stayed calm and professional. Great job! Give a shout out to your guardian angel!

[@JMaxwellE]

I'm not a pilot, just a casual fan of aviation and technical knowledge. This channel is better about transferring information about different issues and details in a way that a layman like myself can comprehend than any other I've seen. Hats off to AOPA for producing these videos! Also a very big thanks to the ATCs in the video for their exemplary work!

[@megd7593]

So glad he’s safe, and what fantastic controllers!

[@boeingpilot7002]

Good thing he was in a Mooney -- one of the best gliders, ever! Smooth, laminar-flow wing. That last little boost of thrust over the blast fence was a blessing, too. Great job by the controllers to help him avoid fixation, panic and a futile attempt to extend the glide to an unreachable airport.

[@Vincentvuoto]

Love learning from these safety videos. Please keep them coming, as they're very useful for every level of aviator.

[@benedikt5974]

Very impressive ATC work!

[@Broker205]

So incredibly happy that this experienced pilot, and experienced controllers were able to get him down safely. Great job all around, and great lessons learned.

[@ronaldsimmons9517]

Great job ATC. Aviate, navigate, and communicate!

[@ctsteve1967]

not in this case. control the airplane, communicate , then just fly where they point you

[@Watchdog_McCoy_5.7x28]

That .6 gallon made the difference in this situation. Awesome. I've watched this multiple times and it's nerve-wracking even knowing the outcome. Awesome ATC and pilot teamwork.

[@VitaliyKrivoruk]

Thank you for sharing. Always good to remember to take weather seriously.

[@rohanbaty3155]

Great video. I ve had 2 engine failures and I learnt a,few,things along the way. 1 is, never put ur gear down until u r sure ur gonna make ur landing destination.

[@lordofthewoods]

11:02 To hell with the runway if the barrier looks iffy... line up on the grass! : )

[@clydesdale1981]

I agree, but by the time he noticed it a turn may have been equally problematic.

[@MrJdsenior]

When it rains ... Way to stay ON the problem, and all that good help on the ground, this one turned out GREAT.

[@Cherokee140Driver]

I remember reading about this incident after it occurred. Seeing this video is a stark reminder of what can go wrong and that ATC is not the bad guy. Any type of en-route communication with ATC could have prevented this by letting the pilot know of conditions at his destination before he arrived there. I initially trained under an instructor who avoided towers, didn't use flight following and wouldn't make calls unless it was absolutely needed. I was young and naive and didn't know any better. He would always tell me they didn't need to know where he was or what he was doing. On my first long distance night cross country flight, I didn't use Flight Following or any other radio communication except for my departure and arrival CTAFs. I was scared to death for most of that because I was in the abyss of the dark for hours. Thankfully the flight was uneventful. I blamed my poor radio instruction and woke up after that flight. I now use Flight Following for all of my VFR flights beyond the local hamburger joint. Don't be afraid to contact ATC!

[@PilotPlater]

+Cherokee140Driver Absolutely the case. Just because you don't have to contact doesn't mean you shouldn't. Sometime around my initial flight training or perhaps just after I was licenced, I went on a flight where I just wanted to go really high. I left the small control zone of the airport I took off from Waterloo (CYKF) to the north and continued to climb to 9500'. There was some scattered clouds in the vicinity of the airport, and the wind was really strong coming from the northwest. I didn't have a gps but I knew from the VOR (when they still had one at ykf) that I was still northwest of the airport even though the clouds were obstructing the airport itself. The wind ended up blowing me over the airport, but I didn't think of it as a problem because the control zone tops out at 4000'. I saw two or three big jets pass right in front of me on their way into Toronto and figured I ought to start down. It was neat but also nerve-wracking because I wasn't talking to anybody. When I got down and clear the tower for Waterloo said "Now you didn't do anything 'wrong', but Toronto was calling us asking if we were talking to you. It might be a good idea next time to call them on <frequency> so they can advise you and know your intentions". Kind of like in your case, a bit of a wakeup call that the controllers just want to help so there's no smashing of airplanes into eachother, and I was sitting right on their flight path into Toronto which made the controllers (and me) nervous.

[@daytonasixty-eight1354]

Old CFI probably got his certificate in the 1970s. I ran into a guy like that recently at an airport cafe. The old fuck walked right up to me and my buddies to talk shit to us for using an iPad with foreflight. "Back in my day we didn't need them fancy iPads. We flew like real pilots" is what he said to us. I replied back to him "Ya that's why I'm ATP flying King Air MedEvac and your circling around this shit hole with your thumb up your ass not making traffic calls. Thank you for the advice sir."

[@sludge4125]

@@daytonasixty-eight1354 I am retired, but I won’t hang with grumpy old men who whine that all of today’s music stinks, cars were better 40 years ago, and, by golly, men were just tougher back then. (Every time my grandkids get into a vehicle, I am extremely grateful that vehicles are so much safer now. Some old guys actually complain that today’s vehicles crumble easily. Heck, that’s what makes them safer.) I don’t have any patience for the no new technology guys. If that’s their choice, no problem, but don’t discourage others from using it. (Does anyone use film in their camera anymore? There were a lot of old heads that wouldn’t switch to digital.)

[@kentd4762]

I sure hope that never-communicate CFI's stupid attitude didn't lead to any of his former students paying with their lives...

[@Yosetime]

They let you do that? Don't they need to know where you are so you don't crash into someone else? How can that be possible?

[@rickvia8435]

Outstanding work all the way around.

[@scottbostic6247]

That's awesome to have controllers who actually care. Great job to everyone, including the pilot.

[@jaybee6701]

This channel is awesome, and love this story.

[@BradAcquilin]

Great video. I learned so much from these videos and I'm not a pilot. I also have a much better understanding and respect for all ATC.

[@lancelot1953]

Thank you to the Air Safety Institute for producing these outstanding if not lifesaving presentations. There is a lot of experience being shared for the profit of the any flying communities. I appreciate the cooperation and support of all the Air Traffic Controllers making these airspace safe and protecting pilots sometimes from ourselves (pilot's self). My life was saved once by ATC (Houston ARTCC saved me from ditching in the Gulf following an emergency in South Texas years ago). You guys/girls have all my gratitude and admiration, Ciao, L

[@lawrencemiller3829]

Thanks for sharing. You are very fortunate. The engine re-starting just to clear the hurdle on landing looks timed, glad it happened.

[@AllenPortman-n1d]

This is a great video and love how the emphasis was placed on the ATC being a pilots friend someone to assist and help them out of trouble sticky situations!

[@mikemichaels1875]

Great job by the ATC! Teamwork and problem solving at its best.

[@dustoff85]

Great story!! I am a retired US Army Senior Warrant Officer and Blackhawk Pilot. I was an Instructor pilot and IFE ( Instrument Flight Examiner) I too have had a couple of scary situations IFR couple with fuel concerns & couple with moderate to severe icing conditions so I watched this video with great concern. My hat is off to everyone involved great job outstanding outcome God Bless Everyone

[@Roadglide911]

Dustoff85 remember the program high school to flight school back in the 80’s? I chickened out. Worst mistake of my life.

[@SabrinaBraden-n7n]

Its nice when these videos end on a positive note.

[@FarikoUnited1]

This video showed up in my recommendations and found it interesting that it was in my area. So glad to see these types of things when things do have a happy end to them but lessons can still be learned for those involved but also others to not be afraid to ask for assistance. The line that sticks out from it all with the pilot concerned to contact ATC over fear of getting in trouble is with the atc responder saying "we want to teach you how to do it right not punish you if you do it wrong"

[@bonachma1]

Glad you made it down and landed in one piece! Kudos to all you guys for working together and saving one pilot’s life !

[@scoots8519]

It's almost always foggy and overcast in the area he planned to land. I am glad he made it.

[@180mph9]

What an amazing save by some very sharp controllers, to understand that his vacuum system is inop with an engine out, to remind the pilot of the landing gear, what great team work, controllers like this should be teaching a course that relates to incidents like this at the FAA Academy. As a pilot, I am proud to be able to work with such professionals. Fantastic outcome.

[@Video-tipsTv]

I am so happy for you! and for the great job of ATC's

[@rigidfinger]

Dropping the gear when that far out was a near fatal mistake.

[@michaelbuckers]

Imagine not raising the gear when prompted just because you didn't want to jerk it around. That's while you can clearly see that you might not be able to clear an obstacle.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@michaelbuckers If he had put the gear down right after passing the thrust barrier, would he have enough time to put down the gear? How long does that take?

[@michaelbuckers]

@@nofurtherwest3474 He wouldn't, however he could've saved upwards of 50 feet of altitude by retracting it immediately and lowering it once necessary.

[@ctsteve1967]

@@nofurtherwest3474 a belly landing is better that being dead. just saying

[@daffidavit]

@@ctsteve1967 Yes, your point was by leaving the gear up, the glide would have been farther and a belly up landing on the rwy, is better than a gear down landing into a barrier. The other option was to land on the side of the runway if the gear was down.

[@alansimpson596]

I think everyone in this situation came out of it extremely well. We all make errors and the pilot did a good job.

[@SeriusSim]

It's great to see a good ending for once, this was a literal rollercoaster, thanks.

[@ANPennsylvania]

Amazing emergency management and calm attitude by this pilot.

[@gregsanders7610]

Stories and safety shares like this will save lives, thank you for putting these together!

[@thegteam4349]

From watching these videos I’ve learned the guys who make it, like right here, just ask for assistance and tell it like it is. Seems too many pilots don’t dare admit things are really bad until it’s too late and even then they may not. This video was outstanding! Thank you.

[@aharvey4990]

Had a simulated one of these from on top of cloud, getting a GCA from the tower. (Simulated in the sense that it simulated me becoming "stuck on top". I was intentionally on top of the clouds with my instructor.) A Ground Controlled Approach is where the controller, after the request for the GCA, tells you not to acknowledge anything, just to follow instructions. I had an instructor with me as I was only a VFR pilot u/t .... The tower only had me on radar in plan view, they did not have my altitude. We entered the cloud on the heading given and I was told (for example, I can't remember the exact figures) I should be at 4600 feet ..... was (for example) at 4400 so added some power and raised the nose slightly to slow the descent, maintaining same airspeed. Told to turn left onto 095 (for example) .... turned onto 095 .... told I should be at 3900 feet. I was at 4000. reduced power slightly and lowered nose to maintain same airspeed. Told to turn right onto 098 degrees and should be at 3200 feet. I was at 3350 so again, power off slightly and lowered nose slightly .... and so on with varying heading and height adjustments ... eventually was told I was on correct heading for Runway ... at 1800 feet came out of cloud and could see the runway ahead. Very tiring but very good practice. The key things I was taught were to maintain constant airspeed throughout and to just follow instructions from the tower. It works. Not sure if things are the same nowadays, this was in 1975. And ... I wasn't out of fuel!! I'd recommend at least some extra instrument flying tuition / practice for all new pilots and for them being aware that a GCA is available from most towers. As said, a draining experience but such a great feeling to break cloud and see that runway! *Just found out that this procedure is called a surveillance approach in the US.*

[@lupuscanis7523]

Very good video! Thank you for sharing. Here in Germany we’ve got the FIS, (Flight Information Service) and the first times flying I was to shy to contact them. Afraid to miss the correct aviation phrases, afraid to be punished for mistakes. But I learned they are really „friends“ of the pilots and now I never fly without contact if I leave the surrounding of my airport.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

WOW- This is a SPECTACULAR series. Thanks so much for producing these & helping us be better, safer pilots!

[@mwilhelmindetroit]

About the most suspenseful ga story I've heard in a long time. Kudos to the controllers.

[@erolsevim1894]

What a great story. Well done to ATC and the Pilot for sharing his story, honestly.

[@arthurmontana8791]

I have no right to feel proud of the ATC who saved this nice man's life. Yet, after watching the incredible true story twice, I cannot escape feeling proud of these great men: Josh Haviland, Ken Greenwood, Ryan Herrick, their supervisor (who got Josh involved) and all the ATC that day. May their incredible professionalism and care be rewarded again and again and again. I loved how Josh recognized that the pilot, Jim Lawson, was too task saturated to set his VOR scope. So Josh WISELY just encouraged Jim to forget the VOR and just keep a straight and level course. That was brilliant! Jim Lawson was in a very tough spot. He did very well too!

[@barryhall3971]

Great to watch one of these videos with a happy ending! I used to fly out of Renton (and Boeing Field once) - over a quarter of a century ago when working at Microsoft in the 90's. It must have been hard for him to turn away from BFI when he can see it straight ahead. Great work by the ATC guys.

[@MartinScheuerJr]

Professionals all around. Great work on everyone!

[@fentontaylor9021]

Nice to watch one of these videos with a happy ending!

[@oneworld9071]

11:10 "all of a sudden the engine came back to life....." unimaginable moment.

[@ctsteve1967]

good thing the prop was still spinning

[@pvt_picklestomp3014]

From my understanding a spinning prop has more drag than a stationary one, but the way everyone talks about planes makes me think the benefit is null..

[@davidmarkersnr.1888]

Just hope he wasn't praying at that moment, could have given him false confidence for the next time he was in a fix. lol!

[@williamfaulkner1959]

@@davidmarkersnr.1888 I would have been praying all the way down!

[@Mikinct]

@@pvt_picklestomp3014 I’ve read they always have your “feather” the prop once engine quits in a twin engine setup. Exactly- less drag.

[@Heetcat6]

this is amazing! wow the pilot and the controllers had done excellent job, Wow.

[@rondj1965]

This is a great one. Cool, level headed thinking without panic. Awesome ending.

[@3204clivesinclair]

I once flew a rental from UK (south coast) to France in VFR conditions. Weather was checked prior to departure and as we only expected to stay in France for lunch we didn't expected any weather changes. We stayed a couple of hours longer and half way across the channel, the cloud base lowered to 600ft above the water. We have about 16 miles to run to our departure/destination (Bournemouth). Our Arrow 2 was IR, but I was not. We contacted approach and they suggested SVFR. We landed safely with a cloud base of 280ft ag. ATC were superb, talking to us all the time. Spookily we broke out of cloud over a cemetery!

[@toonybrain]

Clive Sinclair Happy you are here to write about it!

[@michelgardes]

I knew it would be a good video from the very beginning as the pilot was still there to narrate his own story. :) The controllers did a very good job, that's awesome!

[@arod1pilot]

Good job ATC. Great pilot too keeping his calm... Good job all of you...

[@JBAST01]

Great story! Glad he was brought down safely!

[@FarkyDave]

What a great story and really nice video. Thanks for posting.

[@juanpennisi1202]

I'm loving these videos. I'm not a pilot and probably never will be although I've always loved everything about aviation. But what I'm loving most about these vids is that these lessons can be applied to any situation in life. Thank you!

[@davidmihevc3990]

I'm not a pilot either, and have no desire to ever be one, but like you, do have an interest in aviation. I find these stories very interesting, nice to watch one with a good ending. Is tragic that so many end badly, but at least lessons can be learned by other pilots.

[@andersep68]

Great lessons learned. One thing though: Maybe stop calling it Air Traffic Control - rename it to Air Traffic Services. Perhaps that would make even more pilots call out sooner before the situation gets out of hands. I got lost on my skill test and immediately called the local Approach control. They helped me out and got me back on track. I still passed my skill test because I did the right things... Fly the aircraft. Realize I was lost. Circled a small city - radioed in and got help. Just my 5-cents :)

[@2Brento]

That's an excellent idea. I have flown in the LA area as a VFR pilot for over twenty years, and I am fortunate to have Socal, LA CTR, and SBA Approach as resources with all my flights.

[@HackhappyOrg]

I have to say that is a damn good idea!

[@Touay.]

Air Traffic Assistance?

[@mytech6779]

No, traffic control is the primary function and makes up the vast majority of what they do; preventing mid air collisions, runway collisions, and wake turbulence issues. Other assistance and services are incidental to that. Guiding an emergency landing still satisfies the traffic control aspect, basically the pilot with an emergency is saying "I gotta land, can't stop me." and ATC redirects traffic around that inflexible flight path.

[@williamfahle151]

My wife and I have recently gotten back into flying after a long hiatus. So long that we have never flown together. She was hanging around a bunch of rebel types when she flew and they never wanted to talk to approach. She also never did much cross country because it's kind of daunting to do that when you don't talk to anyone. I flew out of a class D parked right under a class B, so I can do radio. I always used flight following. I can't wait to go with her and show her how great the system is when you work with it.

[@at1357]

Great vid. Thanks to all involved for sharing the story. Glad the pilot lived to tell the tale.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

So happy seeing a great outcome. Fantastic work by all involved.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thanks, BRAVO to ATC 👏easy when everything is working. Challenge is when one or more things are out of whack.

[@azcharlie2009]

That was one of the best aviation videos I have ever seen!! God was watching out for that guy... He must live right....

[@petertimowreef9085]

Quite the eventful christmas! Very glad you made it sir.

[@stevenwg2360]

These videos are excellent. Thank you for this resource!

[@texasl-19birddogjimmiles34]

I love watching these videos. They are a tremendous learning too. Thanks AOPA !!!

[@jasonthomas9364]

I’m glad these people are willing to share their experiences

[@benstanden8784]

Interesting stuff this. It's great to get the perspective from the controllers, as a student pilot myself I always feel a little daunted when on the comms amongst commercial pilots, but it's good to know that if anything does go wrong it's ALWAYS the right call to tell ATC immediately!

[@ebirinkugba6178]

Asf makes great lesson videos! Thank you so much. You're a regular part of my curriculum for students.

[@enshk79]

I love these heros. And I love listening to their story because I’m very interested in what exactly their thought processes are during those critical moments and situations. I’m so curious and intrigued by how truly brave and caring souls think and feel. Very inspirational.

[@ChristopherMilnevcm]

What a story! I am not a pilot, but this is an inspiring story, on several levels, for anyone. Thanks for these amazing videos, Air Safety Institute.

[@gordonlecroy4258]

Good job, guys! You are dedicated heroes!

[@ruslanulko8195]

Very good lesson. Thank YOU!

[@carlosdeleon7620]

Great Work. Congrats to the controllers, and the pilot.

[@ktsenya2]

You know, the location of the fuel pickup line should be noted in the POM. That bit could save a pilots life

[@treylem3]

Excellent content, and excellent job by all.

[@bandlfamaccount5309]

Very moving video, pretty emotional ...

[@patfarra627]

Cool that you got that award. Awesome. That was a great job.

[@fun2drive107]

Great outcome. ATC is supposed to help you so don't be afraid to talk to them vs possibly dying...

[@ctsteve1967]

ATC will report you for this, Then you deal with the FAA

[@alejandrogodoy4696]

THANK U!!! for SHARING IT

[@rufus4779]

There are old pilots and there are bold pilots. But there are no old bold pilots! Great job!

[@jamestheotherone742]

Lots of dead timid and indecisive pilots though.

[@FradyKatt]

glad to see you kept a clear head calm and landed safely that weather cant be trusted easy to get spatial disorientation in those situations..

[@johnalexander4513]

Great story with a great outcome

[@Triple070007]

Man those thrust barriers should be moved or down when not in use.. you never know when someone might need to land short, and imagine if he got all that way and disintegrated against a stupid fence

[@nofurtherwest3474]

Would he have had enough time to put down the landing gear right after passing the thrust barrier?

[@cspteja]

@@nofurtherwest3474 His gear was already down before he crossed the thrust barrier but it's a good question if it wasn't already down and he didn't get the extra boost of throttle on the final there.

[@keim3548]

The blast fence is only about 8 ft high and only 20 ft away from the road. If he can't clear that he probably wouldn't clear car traffic on the road either, but he could always choose to go left or right of the barrier and land on the grass parallel to the runway

[@DuckMallard11]

Incredible story. Great job everybody.