Paul 5r4
Well Known Member
I have a question. I listened to the audio of a controller... I think somewhere in the North East part of the country but not sure.... anyway, he had an aircraft several miles out over water and instructed the pilot to descend. The pilot stated he was too far out and was already out of gliding distance and requested an immediate heading change to head back closer to land. The controllers response was IMHO a scolding and again instructed him to hold his heading and descend. They again had a round of disagreement with the controller holding his ground and the pilot finally descended despite his feelings that the descent jeopardized even more than it already was his and the passengers safety.
Trying to learn something and think about how I would have handled this brought me to this question. If the pilot had declared a Pan Pan Pan would that have helped his situation? With a Pan, I don't think he could have turned against the controllers instructions. I decided if it had been me, I would have most likely handled it like a Delta crew did with a statement something like "If you don't give me an immediate heading change, I am going to declare an emergency and turn back towards land.
And I know the engine has no idea it's over water so please don't go there. The point here is a pilot obviously was very uncomfortable with his situation and tried to get a new heading with no luck. (He did eventually get his heading change).
EDITED couple hrs later. I know the difference between the pan and mayday/emergency. Just wondering what would have been the best way to have handled the above situation. I may have heard UNABLE during the pilots transmission but it was clear it was his heading he was concerned about and wanted something taking him closer to land. After more thinking and reading the posts... I think I would have just declared the emergency to get back.
Thoughts and Thanks!
Trying to learn something and think about how I would have handled this brought me to this question. If the pilot had declared a Pan Pan Pan would that have helped his situation? With a Pan, I don't think he could have turned against the controllers instructions. I decided if it had been me, I would have most likely handled it like a Delta crew did with a statement something like "If you don't give me an immediate heading change, I am going to declare an emergency and turn back towards land.
And I know the engine has no idea it's over water so please don't go there. The point here is a pilot obviously was very uncomfortable with his situation and tried to get a new heading with no luck. (He did eventually get his heading change).
EDITED couple hrs later. I know the difference between the pan and mayday/emergency. Just wondering what would have been the best way to have handled the above situation. I may have heard UNABLE during the pilots transmission but it was clear it was his heading he was concerned about and wanted something taking him closer to land. After more thinking and reading the posts... I think I would have just declared the emergency to get back.
Thoughts and Thanks!
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