What Happens When You're NOT READY for Flight. Real ATC Audio

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Funny audio: - • Funny Exchanges
ATC Audio: - • ATC Audio
Incidents: - • Incidents
Emergency: - • Emergency
Crashes: - • Crashes
#atcaudio #realatc #aviation

[@SteveJobsIsGod]

Such a kind and compassionate controller

[@jwag82]

Canadian, eh?

[@oatlord]

This should have been at Newark. They would have been so kind to her.

[@signrossi1]

The Controller saved her life!

[@rainbowdash3674]

This is exactly what she needs and he knew it.

[@quackgarage9551]

Super professional ATC, he handled that perfectly. And clearly that CFI doesn't hit it off well with her. CFI is the one at fault here, she was not very reassuring nor supportive.

[@fliynthesky]

“No worries it was a team effort” huge respect goes out to all the ATC who’s willing to help students instead of getting mad at them!

[@DaveDepilot-KFRG]

Easy to do when she's the only plane. It would be different if he had 6 planes in the pattern. But he did good with her, keeping her calm and positive.

[@ocdraridrogonel]

seriously!!

[@BalticLab]

In my experience, even the stern controllers find some common-sense and empathy when they know you're student pilot in distress. My flight-school was located inside Charlie airspace and I messed up more times than I can count the first few hours. We had one controller with quite the attitude but even she was nice when I completely lost orientation and flew into the departure end of an active runway used for commercial airliners. It happens.

[@wesselingskater]

@@DaveDepilot-KFRGhe had multiple planes there but told them to wait and thanked for the Patience.

[@MgtowFreightTrain]

@@fliynthesky getting mad at them??!!

[@JohanBosClips]

The controller may have saved her life. Good work!

[@Probowler37]

I was thinking the same thing. He was outstanding to say the least!

[@JohnSmith-zw6tr]

100% Yet, I bet he didn’t even receive a handshake. Pushing tin is thankless

[@joycedudzinski9415]

Saved folks on the ground too

[@BlackBarney]

good lord, best controller ever?? I think so. The empathy is incredible. He totally calmed that pilot.

[@seanmurphy9632]

Tied as best controller ever for sure. I've seen so many of these videos where the controller is a rock star. I got my PPL 3 years ago. The controllers are consistently the best, most helpful, and patient people to work with. Are there some videos here showing the opposite? Sure. But they are by far the exception. Day to day, the controllers do an excellent job under high pressure. It would be an absolute disgrace if the FAA is privatized. The focus of the controllers will go from safety to profit. Fewer controllers. More pressure. More fees for pilots that will result in them eschewing important safety services like flight following.

[@YouTube.TOM.A]

@@seanmurphy9632 Good statement but a little pandering. The service provided under privatization will be the focus of much formulation, committee hearings, and input from the public and end users. Government control is not the answer to everything.

[@seanmurphy9632]

@KZbin.TOM.A Nor is privatization. The bottom line is profit will be introduced where it doesn't need to be. When PPLs stop doing flight following because it now costs them $20, that makes everyone less safe. Some things are government programs in service of the people, and that's OK.

[@thomasbonnett4800]

Rain on parades much?

[@YouTube.TOM.A]

@@thomasbonnett4800 In the thinking man's hierarchy of importance, rainfall is more beneficial than organized, marching penguins

[@chrisbailey5055]

I love aviation, where else can you freak out, screw up or have a bad day, tell someone on the radio you need help, and get that help without any judgement.

[@JimmyTAus1]

There's still judgement. Mostly on the instructor for sending her up when she clearly wasn't ready.

[@syberphish]

There are free numbers you can call if you're just... struggling...with life and need someone to talk to. If you use your cell phone you're literally using a radio to accomplish it. 😉 So, not that rare, I don't suppose. If you had asked, where else can you call someone on a radio and get them to help you land a plane.... that would be a different story.

[@n085fs]

@@JimmyTAus1 Before a solo, a student should (I don't know if it's law here or not, but was where I'm from) go up with a different instructor who observes and says they're good to solo. If the second instructor does any instructing, they're supposed to say the student is not ready to solo.

[@JimmyTAus1]

@n085fs there's no FAA law for that in the US, where this incident occurred. Different schools have their own procedures but there's no evidence of that happening here.

[@somethingsomething404]

@@JimmyTAus1this was in Canada

[@LastMumzy]

I knew a pilot when I was in the Air Force that had a fuel imbalance and panicked. He declared an emergency and when he came in for a landing the tower told him to go around. The pilot started arguing with the tower about how he needed to land immediately when the tower cut him off and yelled out 'YOUR GEAR IS STILL UP GO AROUND'. Pulled up with about 10 feet between the plane and the ground. And that was that. He was washed out of flight school and was transferred to a different AFSC. After I separated from the Air Force I got the idea to try to become a pilot myself. I went to a helicopter flight school and got my private license and was about 2/3 of my way through my commercial rating but I was struggling. I never felt comfortable flying and the idea of passengers relying on me to keep them alive was a bridge too far. I could have tried to force it but after some deep introspection I decided to walk away and go do something else. Now I'm a freight train locomotive engineer and I couldn't be happier.

[@0101-s7v]

Long Haul freight train engineer. That would have been my dream job. I loved trains when I first saw them as a little kid putting pennies on the track in rural Louisiana in the late 70's. I'd see the same engineer two or three times a week , probably going to/from Alexandria. He threw a quarter to me once. I still have it. And not just because it's 70% silver. :-)

[@awesomerpower]

This is a great anecdote. I’m glad you found your path.

[@johnqdoe]

The delusional modern world is in dire need of more honest people like yourself.

[@LetsGoBrandon_]

My flight instructor training out of AEG was also an active locomotive engineer. Two excellent career endeavors.

[@petemccole9774]

I've always wanted to be a freight train locomotive engineer. Instead, I became a broadcast engineer and whenever I tell people I'm an engineer they always ask me what railroad I work for

[@MorrisseysMonkey]

This controller was excellent, thumbs up to him!

[@adminsparkes2450]

As an ex military and commercial pilot of 37 years flying, this Air Traffic Controller was incredible, I can’t fault the professionalism and compassion to which he is responsible for saving that student pilot. Very very well done Sir!!

[@MgtowFreightTrain]

@@adminsparkes2450 you don't sound like it

[@paulrichards2365]

I don't think I can say the same for the instructor. She approved the student to solo. Surely that girl had exhibited those fears a number of times before.

[@brendaalpert6171]

@@MgtowFreightTrain rude

[@MgtowFreightTrain]

@@brendaalpert6171 nobody cares what you think.

[@Indyxpress]

​@@MgtowFreightTrain maybe so but everyone can see what you are...

[@PlaneGeek007]

Controller needs a raise!!!!! A++++ Ya know they can teach a lot of things, but they cant teach compassion, this guy made the pilot feel like he was sitting right next to her the entire time. So impressive!!!! Need more people like him

[@talreichert587]

That raise should come out of the instructor's pay, because an instructor who sent this pilot for a solo flight was not doing their job.

[@PlaneGeek007]

@@talreichert587 i do agree, she did not seem confident enough for her solo...hopefully after this experience, she gets more one on one time and continues her pursuit of aviation.

[@burke615]

@@talreichert587 I don't know if you can come to that conclusion from this one issue. The pilot said herself that she had been doing "so well" so it may be that it wasn't until she had an issue on the previous landing attempt (or touch and go, whatever immediately preceded this) that she had that visceral realization that she was alone up there, and lost her previous confidence and her nerve. We only know how she acted here, not how she acted during her previous lessons. Regardless, the instructor and (especially) the tower controller put together a great team effort to calm her down enough and get her the reminders she might have needed to safely land.

[@talreichert587]

@burke615 "I don't know if I can do this, I was doing so well" is not how we train pilots to talk. We train them to take control of the plane and the situation, we train them to understand that when they're in the air, no one can reach out over the radio and fly the plane for them. That they can ask for help to meet emergencies, but that the only person who can put them in the right mindset is themselves. This student pilot doesn't sound like a pilot in command, she sounds like a frightened little girl who then dumped the responsibility to calm her down on ATC, who did so marvelously. But I don't blame her, I blame her instructor. We don't rise to the occasion, we sink to the level of our training and proficiency. This student was not solo ready and should have never been signed.

[@davebox588]

@@talreichert587 Clearly I don't know what happened before, but doing circuits before my first solo the CFI took me up and stressed the heck out of me. Too high, off centre, the lot. When I didn't mess up he climbed out and told me to take a circuit on my own. He was in the tower the whole circuit. My initial thought? I learned in the UK so don't know how it differs in the US, but why wasn't the instructor in the tower just in case something like this happened?

[@Sabrinn75]

I can sympathize with how she must have felt. During my training I was flying solo doing touch-and-go's. There was a steady quartering headwind (10 knots or so) that day. I was short final at 65 knots about 50' above the ground when the wind suddenly stopped blowing. It felt to me like I had dropped off a cliff. The aircraft sank and one wing dropped maybe 20 degrees. I reacted, dropping the nose, got it level and added power and went around. Landed on the next circuit and taxied in. I was shaken up pretty bad, and when I walked into the terminal lounge one of the old timers that had watched the whole thing saw I was shaken and came over to talk to me. He got me settled down, told me that he'd been watching me fly the pattern and that I did a great job handling the airplane, and suggested that if I got back in the airplane to just keep a few extra knots of airspeed on final on a breezy day to keep that from happening again. And that's what I did. I hope this young woman got a similar pep talk and got back in the plane, too.

[@colin5577]

I’m hoping she didn’t. Not being sarcastic - it’s not for everyone and temperamentally, maybe being PIC isn’t for her.

[@rudiklein]

"Don't worry, you're doing great." "OPS1 and OPS2, FIRE, Ambulance! ROLL, ROLL, ROLL!!!"

[@Wendholver]

Bro I’m dying 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@smartysmarty1714]

Hilarious! Probably true, too!

[@terence.pereira]

I wanted to like this comment, but I'd also like to keep it at 69.

[@46I37]

😅😅😅

[@silkysmooth-vk2ux]

hahaha

[@patrickdroney4443]

This young lady clearly wasn’t ready to solo. With that said controller was excellent.

[@johnkeith2450]

18,000 hours now. Corporate jets. I panicked on my first solo...It happens.

[@dismalfist]

@@johnkeith2450 Glad someone with experience is saying this. I'm impressed that even in her panic she was STILL able to communicate and aviate correctly and land the aircraft safely! I guess pilots just panic different.

[@carltonbanks5470]

​@@dismalfist She aviator correctly because that controller made it as easy as he possibly could. Brought the panic level way down.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

she probably was but had a panic attack

[@johnkeith2450]

@ Hopefully as soon as she landed her instructor got in the right seat and had her do the pattern again. Best thing for something like that.

[@jeffreylonnon781]

I suspect this controllers calm and compassionate attitude saved this girls life. Well done!

[@randyporter3491]

Amazing controller who deserves recognition. Sometimes "we'll, it's their job" isn't good enough. This is one of those times. Respect to the ATC.

[@andyhall1611]

ATC controller needs a medal. If only everyone could be as calm and patient as he is. Well done.

[@taylorhornby7475]

This is humanity at its best; this video honestly made me tear up. It's someone facing their fears and pushing themselves to learn how to fly, a controller who knows the right thing to say to keep her aviating, and an instructor who got to know her enough to know what to say to get her down safely. It's the best of what we are, all on display here.

[@awesomerpower]

Love this take.

[@jibeco]

2 thumbs up.

[@BlackBarney]

lol i teared up too, very moving

[@chrisclark6705]

I hope she goes onto become a great pilot. Momenta like this can either deter you or make your stronger. We all face moments like this in life, i hope she took the experience and allowed it to mold her into the pilot she is striving to be. Bless her.

[@Frenchgirl777]

I think the controller deserves a Controller of the Month Award for how patient and supportive he was.

[@bobjay2272]

Learned to fly late 60s. When my instructor stepped out of the plane and told me to make 3 touch and goes I was shocked. I said, " wait a minute...have I been making the last few landings ON MY OWN?"...He responded that I have made all the landings since our 2nd session together. I made many mistakes including getting lost during my first solo cross country, circling around looking, finally giving up and promising God I would quit flying if he would get me back. Then off my nose appeared my destination airport...Years later I became a flight instructor and I always tried to keep my students aware of when THEY WERE MAKING THE LANDINGS. I also let the tower know when a student was making their first solo. I hope this student didn't give up flying because of this. We all face uncertain times and we all need a helping hand, or in this case a helping voice. Nice work from all.

[@captainpicard1701e]

Well done to the controller. Part of being a good instructor is having the intuition to know your student and whether he or she feels a student is truly ready to solo an aircraft. Given the tone of this student pilot's communications with ATC and her emotional state, it's quite likely this panic attack didn't come as a surprise to her CFI. The CFI didn't sound particularly reassuring on frequency to her student either. Honestly, I fault the CFI for letting her do this when she clearly wasn't ready.

[@PilotDaveLI]

"Ready" is a grey area. I had 20+ hours before my first solo and when the CFI got out of the plane I said to myself I'm definitely not ready for this. lol Of course I was. But certainly for this girl to react THIS badly to her solo, she clearly was not ready. It's still a fun talking point to debate, the idea of when to solo. My CFI asked me, what's the rush? He told me to just forget about it and focus on each flight as it comes, the solo will come eventually. My airport buddies all soloed at 8, 10 or 12 hours and were teasing me. The reason it's such a talking point, in my opinion, is the abandonment rate is extremely high. #1 reason being of course money, then you have time commitments etc. But the sooner the CFI can get you to solo, there's this idea that it shows the student they CAN do it and pushes them to keep going until they finish. It's not a bad strategy, but that's why you really need to listen to and get to know the student. Doing that helps to avoid situations like this scared girl. Not all CFIs give it that much thought I suppose. But the when to solo debate will never end, we're all quite different.

[@HitechProductions]

I thought the same thing. The instructor NEVER attempted to calm her down, the only one doing that was ATC.

[@alamo1537]

I was thinking the same thing

[@dropnikappleflower]

The instructor almost sounded annoyed. Her tone already stressed me out

[@hyb180]

That instructor needs to be spoken to by the chief or owner of that school along with a FSDO inspector. She is lucky that nothing happened to that girl in the plane

[@jiyushugi1085]

An excellent learning experience! However, this highlights an important topic: the mental state of single pilots. I've just finished writing an article on this topic, as it is something I witnessed first hand at the single-pilot Pt. 135 airline where I spent six years as a captain. At least one-third of the pilots we trained up, including some with 121 experience and some with previous 135 experience, completely lost it when they found themselves by themselves with a load of pax sitting behind them. Most of them made up silly excuses for quitting shortly after starting, a few admitted that they just couldn't handle it, and two had to be fired for doing something stupid. The featured video illustrates how the same pilot who performs competently when an instructor or other pilot is sitting next to them can completely fall apart when up there on their own. This is a topic which better minds than mine should investigate more thoroughly.

[@airops423]

I'd be interested in reading that article once it's published! Curious why so many can fly just fine otherwise?

[@abingdonboy]

Single pilot commercial ops are just a terrible idea for the reasons you’ve given. That they are trying to impose them on the world flying big jets now is truly scary. I don’t think we can possibly understand how bad an idea that is until it goes wrong

[@drcherepanov]

I remember performing spine surgery on my own for the first time after assisting in or observing hundreds of surgeries before. Everything seemed straightforward and clear, but doing it independently was a completely different experience. I got lost and had to ask for help. I believe it was mostly a psychological barrier because everything changed after a conversation with my boss, who told me that I should never start surgery unless I have a clear intention to rely solely on myself. This doesn’t mean I would never need a backup, but the mindset should always be one of full self-reliance as the foundation.

[@YouTube.TOM.A]

I flew for 10 years part 121. I upgraded to the left seat as a captain. after training i was signed off to SOLO with a first officer, a crew, The agent came to the cockpit and said "do you have every thing you need " ? I looked at her and said "dah..dah.. dah... what " . Then she closed the door and turned the handle. I have never been to prison, but that door closing made more noise than you hear at SING SING.

[@ma-jp8bf]

On my first solo, bouncing around the pattern something sounded strange, just not right. Did a full stop landing and taxied in. Instructor came up and verified everything was fine. I was so used to having an instructor and listening for his guidance/instruction I just hadn't noticed all the sounds apparently. Went back out and completed the solo.

[@Cars-N-Jets]

7:30 that's the love of the aviation community right there❤

[@Ezel21love]

This is what we need in Aviation! Someone who is kind and willing to help others no selfish and arrogant.

[@peterwilliamson1]

Sounds like a panic attack, especially when she said she "needs to get out" and can't 'think' or reply coherently. Thankfully the controller was great and supportive. P.S: And I know it's a panic attack because I'm a sufferer myself. When it strikes you just want to flee and run... You would feel very scared with a sinking feeling in your tummy... You also get a sense of "doom" or trapped feeling. You will also start hyperventilating and if you don't control your breathing you will feel dizzy and fainty; in rare cases, people fainted. Next thing you know, your mind also goes blank because of the adrenaline overload - your body feels cold, and your arms and legs go jelly. What I'm worried about is this female student may develop a panic disorder after this episode and she may just quit flying altogether... That's how it happens. Worse case yet, agoraphobia...

[@odom2142]

Hopefully you’re right and she decides to take piano lessons instead.

[@peterwilliamson1]

@@odom2142 Yeah, as much as I hate to say this (and seriously, out of pure concern)... She should NOT fly after this until she gets herself checked with a psychologist/therapist or has her instructor fly with her to certify she's okay. I mean, imagine had she fainted half-way or so fear-stricken to the extent she didn't know how to land the plane or went blank... It is a huge risk. Or imagine if she pilots a commercial plane solo and this happens. And once you experience a panic attack, there's a very likelihood it will happen again.

[@ku4uv]

Exactly, I have had panic attacks when I was a kid.

[@fontcaicoya5686]

Nailed it - and it's part of the reason I chose to not try getting my pilot's license. I've had a history of them, and it took a LONG time to find ways to manage and prevent - but when they happen, man, it's like you become an animal. Pure base instincts. My flight response would go into overdrive and I'd find myself getting into my car just so I can drive as fast as possible on the highway or whatever back road I could find for the adrenaline dump. Then I almost immediately pass out for a couple hours, little post-adrenal nap. It's scary and terrible.

[@alamo1537]

I think the student pilot needs to have a look in the mirror and decide if this is something she wants to do. No shame in giving up, flying is not for everyone

[@Jrongjeeptrailer]

The controller was like a patient dad. Saves lives

[@cd4222]

Have been flying for 40 years and that was a hell of a controller! I wish all controllers were like this one!

[@bladedspokes]

This was a fine example of everyone keeping their cool and supporting a struggling pilot. It is easy to become overwhelmed, especially when you're just learning. Kudos to the controller, the instructor, and the pilot for working through this.

[@cymbala6208]

Big "thank you" to that controller! I think that this is true professionalism, not only solving situations on the radar screen but also dealing with the mental / psychological aspects of aviation.

[@phaedradg]

One of the things that I was taught when I learned to fly was "the controller is your friend". This guy proved it. On one of my first couple of solo flights, I got a runway change on climbout of one of my touch-and-goes, and at the time, the mental calculation was overwhelming. My first reaction was to ask the controller for some help here, and that really helped me in not messing up that day.

[@BradWillis]

I'm a former police officer. Even though we were trained professionals, when the world was going to sh!t all at once, it was always helpful to have a very calm and collected dispatcher coordinating things. Different situation, but same basic concept.

[@CalibanRising]

The first solo is always a scary experience. I remember coming off the marked grass runway and not being able to keep the centre line on touch down. I also ran into bad weather during my first cross country and was helped by the local ATC to land at a disused military base where I was collected by my instructor later. A more experienced pilot, I only had about 10 hours by that point (Belgium), might have flown round the storm, but I was down and the aircraft was safe thanks to the ATC's help.

[@frdml01]

A very bad moment to have a total mental blackout. She did well to be candid about her situation! Great response from ATC and instructor too.

[@ToddMoore70]

Major props to that controller, calm, cool, patient and kind. 100% awesome.

[@Skyrat12]

HUGE props (no pun intended) to that controller!!!!! Well done sir!

[@ryancraig2167]

Take responsibility for your pun. We need some accountability around here.

[@flare242]

Respect to the ATC and the instructor! Great job helping a pilot in the middle of a freakout! I hope she got over it, debriefed with the instructor and learned something in the process.

[@craig7350]

In all my years of flying, I've never been instructed to fly 000 degrees. But that controller did a Great job.

[@davebox588]

Yes, but I wondered if that was a US thing. In the UK it was always a vector of 360.

[@deanfowlkes]

@@davebox588 - It is definitely not a US thing.

[@ohiyesa2328]

@@deanfowlkes Canadian registered plane

[@DerBingle1]

There is no such thing as a 000 heading.

[@deanfowlkes]

@@ohiyesa2328 - I don’t think that it is a thing in Canada, either.

[@jordanbeagle5779]

She landed a plane whilst under great stress from panic. As a new student pilot this is impressive. I’m sure with more training she can overcome her panic.

[@billwilliams7970]

Utterly amazing team work by everyone involved. I feel so bad for the young pilot and sincerely hope she regains her confidence keeps at it!

[@TheNWaite]

That ATC deserves some sort of award beyond a mere box of donuts. He saved a life right there.

[@daveatfullcircleutub]

Really impressed with the support. Encouraging, straight forward, and calm.

[@joegreer633]

I'm getting ready to retire as a B777 CA with over 25;000 hours and my first solo at age 16. Started flying at 14. That controller was amazing. The young lady had a bad landing that shook her up, but she asked for help by stating she wasn't ready to complete the pattern. The controller calmed her and vectored her for a wide pattern so she could calm her nerves. I'm proud of her for calming down enough to get on the ground safely. I hope she got back on the "horse" and finished her training. Young lady, if you're reading this comment...remember it's not the mistakes or mishaps that define you. It's how you recover from them. You'll do great and never give up on your dreams;)

[@archwayfilms4362]

I love the animation done to go along with the audio to help tell the story. Simple but effective.

[@mnshp7548]

Thank you to the controller's kindness and the instructor's patience. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. I hope this girl had the chance to try again and absolutely nail her next solo. Well done, whoever you are-any landing you can walk away from is a good one!

[@kernow9324]

She was so fortunate to have such a calm, helpful controller.

[@YouTube.TOM.A]

I share in the recognition of this controller's handle on this situation. We should not become agents of overcompensation, almost any controller would have done a great job of handling this situation, this, on display here, is more of a common thread and, if you fly long enough you will appreciate the level of professional service provided by all controllers. Certainly, there are incidents that people can point to, but those are few and fleeting in nature.

[@NeilPatton1962]

What an exceptionally fine performance by that controller. That's as good as it gets. Calm, professional, timely and re-assuring, pitched at exactly the right level to bring that student in safely. I hope that controller got an annual subscription fully paid up to the donut shop as recognition.

[@IANinALTONA]

Let's appreciate the excellent ATC work here. Bravo!

[@DustinNuttall]

Awesome ATC commitment to stay calm, patient, and respectful.

[@manifestgtr]

I feel for FYA, man…I had a brief panic attack during primary when I was on my student cross country. It was like, all of the sudden, my brain went “?!?!”, recognized that I was alone and that there was no quick way out of this situation if necessary. It’s difficult to explain…even moreso because I’m very even keeled, especially in dire situations. It hasn’t happened since but I know that feeling and it’s not fun. You just can’t allow it to dominate. I went on to get my license because I *refused* to let my brain take me there again, by sheer force of will…

[@jiyushugi1085]

Same as the hurdle awaiting those flying into IMC for the first time. Mental discipline is the key. Turn off those thoughts about what will happen if you mess up and concentrate on your scan: airspeed, altitude, heading, repeat.

[@steven2145]

I had a similar situation.

[@brunocampilloperez1355]

Hi mate, I just had a similar situation few months ago and till today I’m still not very confident, I was looking for someone that had same situation to get some advices.

[@jiyushugi1085]

@@brunocampilloperez1355 The advice is very simple: Man is not meant to be flying around up in the sky. We are meant to be walking around on the ground, that's why we have two legs. Entering environments that are unnatural to us is very stressful. The way to over come that stress (and fear) is to spend more time up in the sky. This is why 'hours' are important.

[@andrewmaclean9810]

I've had a few moments in my life like that where my mind just goes "?!?!". Never lasted more than a few seconds and never in a plane but I'm kind of glad I've had those moments before because it has given me the experience to deal with it should it happen in flight. For me at least the key is to not get carried away with it, let yourself feel it for a few seconds while you let your training (in whatever you are doing) sort of run your body on "autopilot". Then you tell yourself to man up, focus on your surroundings, take a sip of water and get on with the task at hand. Few mins later your so locked in on the task you forget it even happened. Imo stress management should probably be taught as a part of your PPL. The only thing I remember reading about it in the PHAK is to breathe into a bag if you're hyperventilating. Thing is if you're hyperventilating so bad you need to breathe into a damn bag you've already let yourself get wayyy too amped up, and how to not let it get to that point that should be taught. Even people who are totally mentally healthy and don't have panic disorders sometimes have a moment. We're all human.

[@paulboyle9823]

I so feel for the pilot . Many years ago I got very lost on what was my second solo cross country . I was in a very stressed state but my only option was to call ATC and admit that “ I seem to have got myself lost “ . ATC were beyond amazing and talked me back on track to a point where I regained my sense of where exactly I was . I returned to base very embarrassed but was met with nothing but total support from both ATC and my instructors and fellow pilots . I hope that young lady continued on to become an awesome pilot ❤

[@adroper62]

Before my CFI signed me off for solo, he had to go through several upset scenarios, hand off the controls, and completely shut my eyes, with no input from him, to see how I would react and recalibrate. I could regurgitate the solutions from a technical standpoint, but he wanted proof that my head was in the situation without panicking. He used the same approach with my landings at 3 different airports before I soloed. The vibe I get about the instructor is that she taught this student well on the technical aspects of flying but didn't do a good job of checking how the student would respond if things did not go as planned. This poor kid wasn't ready. Great job by ATC

[@MrJpbmusic2005]

You're absolutely correct. A good CFI would have a student go through PFLs... Glide Approaches

[@Ahhalo-x7e]

Pilot mill "Time Builders" today... Not real Flight Instructors. Telling is not Teaching.

[@YouTube.TOM.A]

@@Ahhalo-x7e YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. Instructors are very committed individuals, well trained and aware of their responsibilities. There is no guarantee that a person you trained and signed off will not have a loss of confidence at solo for unforeseen circumstances. one student had a bird strike on his first solo. I can tell those of you who have never soloed, even a kite. It is what the instructor invested in training and the controller who are responsible for her recovery. We are not psychiatrist, we use our best judgement to solo students and for your information after 10 plus hours training a trainee, you form a human bond with all your students.

[@kurtisf3366]

At my flight school the chief flight instructor had to sign off first solo students. When I went up with her she reached over when I turned final and put a post it note over my airspeed indicator. It really scared the crap out me but she said I was looking inside too much. It was 2 or 3 more flights with my regular image before I solo’d but I learned quick to be looking outside instead of staring at my airspeed.

[@YouTube.TOM.A]

@@kurtisf3366 YES !! It is called VFR For good reasons. you had a good supervision there and the experience benefited your flying. I hate the perception that flight instructors are like roulette dealers, just building time. I had students calling me late at night to confirm that they returned from cross country. [ I wasn't sleeping ] The system in the USA is very safe and they rang the snot out of me before I earned my CFI & II

[@Donkeykong1982]

I have some flight experience and all I can say is that the most scary thing about flying is that you can’t stop and get your bearings like you are on land. You are way up in the air, 4D, and you are constantly in motion. Whatever you do at that moment will either take you further or nearer where you need to go. No one can come up to you to “take over the wheel” and unless you have another pilot with you; you are truly well on your own. Kudos to the air traffic controller for a masterful act of not only guiding the newbie pilot down but also his constant reassurance. 🎉🎉🎉

[@JDrapic]

Great job to the controller. I think everyone covered that very well. For the pilot, this could very easily have been her first panic attack, and until you have one, you really don't know how it'll affect you. The important thing is that she was able to get herself back under control and on the ground, and now the real work starts. I'm not as concerned about the panic attack as what followed, which seemed to be shame and a tendency to shut down, and those need to be addressed. Firstly, the shame is inappropriate. She had a scary situation and she reacted emotionally, which is a natural response. Until you've experienced it, again, you don't know what your reaction will be, and if she's never been in this position before, she had no way to anticipate her response. So, she got spooked, reacted emotionally, and (importantly) reached out for help. None of these things are shameful. Anyone, even experienced pilots, can have these reactions when out of their depths. If anything, there should be a sense of pride and relief that she was able to recover the situation and get back in the air (and eventually on the ground) safely. Which leads to point 2, which is that there was nothing to be morose about. Anyone can balk a landing, that's one of the reasons we have go-arounds. And that's what she did: she went around. Judging that things weren't right for a landing and successfully recovering from that is an accomplishment, especially as a relatively inexperienced student. You can't always stop a panic attack from coming on, especially without training in it. You can control what you do after. I hope she looks back on this, improves, and continues to fly. From my standpoint, she recovered from a potentially deadly situation and now has that experience to learn from to become better and better. She just has a little work to do in regards to handling shock/startle and recovering from that to be in a good headspace for flight.

[@RobertMChambers]

As long as he didn't give her a number to call and possible pilot deviation it's a good day. She landed and lived to tell about it, ATC specialist didn't lose anyone in the pattern. The CFI hopefully got coached on student readiness.

[@melotone3305]

Kudos to the ATC for that supportive assistance. That includes keeping that chat closed to pilot, instructor and ATC.

[@mmaupin249]

The controller was awesome.

[@letitrest4662]

Extraordinary job by ATC..... A person's voice and tone can either calm and encourage or make an individual nervous, and a good ATC person understands that. The man likely saved her life. No second chances most of the time. It has to be right the first time.

[@harrysamuel2]

Wow talk about a good controller and a good instructor. And actually a great controller. :-)

[@FuriouslyFurious]

Great job to the controller. Had that been my daughter up there I would do anything to have a patient, caring person like you with the calming tone. Bravo.

[@svenf1]

The CFI should not have let her solo'ed with that level of anxiety. Kudos to the controller, he did a great job keeping things calm and under control.

[@richardfuller792]

It's very possible that the student never showed any anxiety when she had the instructor with her. I know someone who is very calm and collected but panics when placed in stressful situations. The first time it happened she was very surprised and had no idea where it came from.

[@Redridge07]

The CFI would not have allowed her to fly if the CFI would have known in advance. Critical thinking can be fun. 😀

[@jayc4283]

@@Redridge07 there were clues, FOR CERTAIN, whether they were recognized is the only debatable thing, THAT is your critical thinking.

[@richardfuller792]

​@@jayc4283For certain? What, were you there for all her training?

[@AV84USA]

@@jayc4283Really? Every student pilot has a moment of anxiety the first time they lift off the runway without an instructor next to them. It’s usually brief and usually overcome by other factors, but it is not a hundred percent predictable. The only thing that is 100% predictable is second guessing, Monday morning quarterbacking, and hind sight by internet experts. This CFI was able to focus and get her student safely on the ground after the tower got the pilot calmed down somewhat and on final. The instructor will be second guessing herself soon enough.

[@USAMontanan]

I freaked out on my solo when a big gust of wind rocked my aircraft right as I was taking off and reaching 500’. I’ve never had a panic attack in my life but I could instantly feel the fear welling up inside me and I knew I had “get my shlt together”. Luckily I immediately reverted back to my thorough training, got “back to business” and made two right downwind T&G’s and a left downwind full stop. My fear only lasted a second or two but I understand completely how that young pilot felt. That is why it’s crucial to “practice, practice, practice”! Congratulations to her! Good job to the ATC too!

[@toddgraham6006]

TOWER did a great job! You are very patient and professional!

[@jlneox]

Wow, my heart was pounding listening to the entire audio. This is a great example of team effort. I hope this student overcame this hurdle and brave herself to return to the pilot seat. Great job to everyone.

[@alamo1537]

I was truly worried for the student pilot, amazing job by the controller, someone should probably take a look at the instructor for signing off on the solo.

[@notimebusy8384]

ATC was amazing...he needs serious recognition

[@lanceleavitt7472]

She had the training to fly and land the plane successfully, she also had a panic attach. The CFI will probably get the blame but CFIs don't give you panic attaches.

[@Jimmer-Space88]

Agree. It’s taking all I can do to ignore half the idiots in the comment sections.

[@JCDenton2000]

I agree that its not really the CFI to blame. I think sadly that this girl is simply not cut out to be a pilot.

[@oceanfroggie]

Well done all. Disconcerting listening to a scared disoriented student that seems slightly disconnected. Great work by gentle ATC helping her get down safely.

[@gustafchurn8282]

Sounded like a panic attack! Wow so glad she hung in there…TRUE GRIT in that mental state. Total loss of confidence, total retreat from the circumstances! Soldier on my wayward girl!

[@Theonedjneo]

I'll tell you, soloing can be a very exhilarating and nerve racking experience. When you're in the air and look over and nobody is in that right seat, it's a feeling you never forget. This young lady will make a helluva pilot one day. I wish her all the best.

[@tomgunn8004]

I hope she was smart enough to give it up. I gave it up. Not everyone is cut out for flying. No shame in facing the truth.

[@staymad7206]

@@tomgunn8004 and no shame in continuing. these issues usually present themselves very early in flight training, like you are watching here. if they want to continue, its fully possible to do so and be successful. Giving up is for losers tbh

[@chipcity3016]

My solo was the best day of my life. Because I was ready and my instructor knew it. This poor girl was not ready and her instructor failed to recognise it.

[@JoeMcKeon]

@@staymad7206this instructor shouldn’t be continuing though

[@seanmurphy9632]

The pattern was so busy during my first solo, I didn't have time to be nervous. I was too busy! It was great. =) And first solo cross country was magical. Finished my cruise checklist. Nobody in the right seat. "I'm f***** flying."

[@dannysunwantedopinions]

This is so beautiful. I’m so proud of the young lady pilot! So many people would never have the courage learn to fly, let alone solo! You go girl! ❤️👍

[@XRP747E]

Heartwarming interactions saved the day. I hope she goes on to do well in aviation and remembers with fondness and gratitude her first solo landing.

[@rossiFandallas]

No, she should never fly again. Ever.

[@LBG-cf8gu]

Just when i think atc can't possibly be more amazing, this. i agree, there should be some kind of official recognition. he saved her.

[@didja691]

Heart wrenching to hear her distress. Great job on the part of the controller to help her get to the ground safely. It can be so very hard to judge if a young student is truly ready or not. Don’t know the scenario leading up to the CFI’s decision to sign her off, or if the student just suddenly developed a panic attack once the reality of being solo hit her. Glad to see she made it safely home.

[@VolkerBee]

yeah, that sad "FYA" was heartbreaking

[@MrXtachx]

Well done YOO tower, FYA and the instructor! A true role model for what aviation is - a team effort. Thank you all the the control towers - you're all seriously awesome!

[@1JackTorS]

The controller between radio calls: "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines".

[@MrThisIsMeToo]

Pretty sure it was "The wrong week to stop sniffing glue"

[@1JackTorS]

​@@MrThisIsMeToo He also said "the wrong week to quit smoking" and "the wrong week to quit drinking".

[@MrThisIsMeToo]

@@1JackTorS Yep. They were all classics!!!

[@rossiFandallas]

Roger, Roger!

[@johndaniels651]

What's her vector Victor?

[@crackerbarrel6965]

Wooohoooo! It was almost as if I was sitting there right beside her listening to this! She did better than she thought. Just needs to build confidence. HUGE shout out to ATC. Very well handled. I think controllers all over do an excellent job especially given their stress levels a target airports.

[@TheCream14]

Great controller. Can't say the same for this instructor. To the student pilot - you did a great job and you're not alone. Many first-time pilots experience a wide range of emotions during early solo trips. Keep going! You recognized your emotions and concerns which is more than a lot of experienced pilots will ever do!

[@j.j.montgomery6532]

On my first solo two planes almost collided on short final when I had just turned downwind. Saw it about to happen but was so focused on just flying the traffic pattern that I froze up and didn't know what to say to try to help prevent it. Thankfully they noticed in time, but that was terrifying.

[@vynbos]

What did the instructor do wrong?

[@seanmurphy9632]

@@j.j.montgomery6532 I still don't know what I would say at that point. Uncontrolled airport? If tower, I'd quickly warn tower maybe? "[Airport], collision possible on final." If uncontrolled, maybe "Planes on final look out for each other." The pattern was so full during my first solo, I didn't have time to be nervous. It was great. =)

[@bascal133]

I appreciate the support the controller gave her, including things like "no worries" and "you're doing great"

[@philbirk]

Part of being a good pilot is being able to fly through the freak-out. We've all had those moments in the cockpit. They key is to "KEEP FLYING THE AIRPLANE." She kept flying the airplane, asked for all the help that was available to her and did what she had to do for a good outcome. That's a win! Also, respect to the controller! Great job!

[@tnleverett]

She was simply overwhelmed. The controller was impeccable! He knew he had to keep her calm. The instructor was getting her refocused on her training. Team effort! Such a great outcome! This very easily could have not ended well.

[@gettingpast4391]

Yeah first solo is a bit terrifying. I remember telling myself "watch airspeed - dont die! spot the airport - dont die! look for traffic - dont die! get in the pattern - dont die! ....". But, I was flying a glider so I only got one shot at the landing on a runway surrounded by 100' trees and no radio. Will never forget that day. Hope this young lady wasn't too hard on herself.

[@shawncosmos5431]

ATC man is the guy you want around in all tense and dangerous situations. He can handle it! 👏🙏

[@MadWorld75]

I feel like I need to get out right now?First step would be long one.

[@jiyushugi1085]

Aw, she just needed a hug.

[@kevinheard8364]

@@jiyushugi1085 which that instructor flatly refused to even acknowledge ANY of (the emotional piece...too bad)

[@oatlord]

Not in her case. Sounded below 1000 feet when she said it. No time to enjoy that ride down before it hurts.

[@awesomerpower]

Panic attack

[@reececaldwell722]

@@kevinheard8364 well he got a panicked person to land and survive. So I’d say his method worked. His goal and job is keeping her safe and landing her plane. Not having a yap session over the radio.

[@gerdschmidt2230]

LOVE the team effort and kindness of ATC, and that student did not give up!

[@MetaSynCreta]

I start flight school next week. This kind of teamwork really makes me excited to start this new career path.

[@InfinityXDev]

Except this situation wasn’t normal at all and put everyone at risk.

[@ehtanellery9478]

@@InfinityXDevstuff happens. It’s all about how the situation is handled after it is revealed. The controller and the instructor did all they could to ensure the rest of the flight would be safe. That’s how it should be.

[@Kaktus965]

Don’t be that girl……

[@Kaktus965]

@@ehtanellery9478 The definition of safety is managed risk. This CFI did NOT properly manage the risk by signing this kid off prematurely. So, @InfinityXDev is spot on…

[@IoloGarside]

This seems to be a perfect example of stress, the relation of the perceived demands placed upon and the ability to handle it.

[@onmyworkbench7000]

I can understand how she felt, I remember my first solo flight ( _as does everyone that has done it_ ), I remember looking over at the empty right seat thinking to my self it is 100% on me to get the airplane back on the ground without bending it. She and the controller did *_GOOD!!!_*

[@lotus160]

I remember thinking "Why the f*** am I doing this !!! " as I lined up

[@ValiantThorOfficial]

The lady pilot seems like a genuinely responsible person who merely went through an anxiety phase resulting in lack of confidence, and that ATC was phenomenal in response.

[@7_of_9]

Everyone was outstanding, and most importantly, the pilot maintained excellent communication. Many accidents occur due to a lack of effective communication and failure to request assistance from the ground.

[@justincase5272]

DONUTS! Did she say.... DONUTS??? Whoo-hoo! And an OUTSTANDING job to both controller and instructor in working together like a well-oiled machine to overcome the communications difficulty and bring the student safely home!!!

[@jakebroz9116]

Either she'll never fly again, or she'll become a very good pilot. One of those moments.

[@cryptoslacker-464]

At least you know she will never be the type of pilot that is over confident ❤ Also she could empathise more if she ended up teaching

[@TescoRoadman]

Bloody hope she’s never my pilot

[@GlossaME]

I hope she changes her career/ hobby choices. What a mess

[@theshadowsymphony]

As someone currently training and with my first solo upcoming, this audio struck an emotional chord. I love how there was no judgement in the controllers voice. It was just compassion and the resolve to get this person safely on the ground.

[@FlansFinest]

That was a very good ending to a very bad situation. If it wasn't for the calming effect of the controller this would not have ended well. I'm not sure if this was the students first solo but she was clearly not ready to be flying on her own. Not everyone is cut out to be a pilot.

[@NICURN]

Agree 100%, and see my own comments for your long version :)

[@jjthor407]

I took a package deal at my local airport for 3 lessons , and a logbook . I flew with confidence with my Instructor and completed my 3 lessons with no problems , however I began to realize that I was not really looking forward to the time I would be in the plane solo . Listening to this young woman overcome with panic made me feel like i would have found myself in a similar situation . I am glad I decided to not go forward with my plans to get my PPC . I'm so glad she made it to the ground safely !

[@chadcasale4216]

Well done all around. The student, the tower and her instructor. What a team effort.

[@ohiyesa2328]

Yes we should all strive to behave this way

[@jameshuggins7320]

Wrong

[@JGB_Wentworth]

@@ohiyesa2328You might be dumb or dense or both, but it is beyond obvious that he’s simply referring to the fact that she didn’t die. Obviously he doesn’t think she did an overall “great job” genius.

[@JGB_Wentworth]

@@jameshuggins7320you too

[@andresteeg]

Congrats to all involved. Very, very cool and professional lead. And I hope that the young student understands that this was her toughest flight ever. So from now on it's a piece of cake to fly. All the best to everyone.

[@ruiterinswart5204]

The controller saved the student's life!

[@JFulls94]

Poor girl/woman just hit complete capacity - very easy done, she did well getting it down, well done to the controller and Instructor!

[@andrewjackson5127]

This guy is a freaking saint

[@dazgodbold]

Amazing ATC. CFI has some explaining to do, first solo check is not only about assessing competency but confidence as well.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

Controller of the year definitely!

[@briandomander]

Marvellous job. First solo cam be very daunting. So happy she didn't freeze up at the flair. Everyone working together.

[@GONZOFAM7]

FYA pulled herself together and landed. Nice work. The controller was fantastic, lots to deal with. The instructor knew her stuff. Amazing.