Pilot Declares Emergency During Bad Weather And ATC Controller Gets Frustrated | ATC vs Pilot

A Cessna172 pilot experiencing turbulence declares an emergency with ATC, however, the ATC controller gets frustrated with the pilot's request.

*This video uses flight simulation and stock videos to provide a better viewing experience*

[kevin]

He most likely wanted visual because briefing an approach, programming it, and then figuring out where to fly to start it is A LOT of head down time and if he's having difficulty maintaining altitude and headings, that's dangerous. Asking for vectors for a potential visual isn't weird, it makes sense.

[Ugimara-Imokrasa]

Man oh man. I've been learning to become an ATC for a while now. 2 months of academics and 2 months of simulators talking to computers. Today is my final exam before I am an official air traffic controller. Wish me luck! Talking to real people is going to be so different.

Edit: I passed!

[billmorris]

First of all this pilot declared an emergency. Vectors to a visual can be done if IFR conditions exist between the pilots position and the airport with a local clearance. We did it quite often in the New Orleans MSY and NEW airports. This air traffic controller is just adding more stress to the situation making it more difficult for the pilot.

[billmorris]

In my over 50 years as a commercial pilot, I have heard many times where ATC thinks they are in charge of how the pilot flies the aircraft. Regardless of why the pilot is in this position he is in, he has declared an emergency. ATC is obligated to assist him as best they can regardless if they think the emergency is legit or not. When the pilot asked for vectors to a visual and does not accept the ILS it is probably for one of two reasons, or possibly both. The pilots wants to land ASAP for what ever reason, or he or the aircraft is not IFR qualified, or both. This controller sounds like he has an attitude. The controlled should remain professional and deal with his doubts ones the pilot lands safely, instead of adding to the problem.

[jlevycd]

2 issues. 1st. The pilot should have looked at the weather forecast and planned for either not going up or a back up landing. 2. Once the pilot declares an emergency, the ATC is there to support. The controller can easily talk to the pilot after they land. ATC should have known. Small plane, solo crew, high stress is not the time to belittle a high stressed pilot.

[sheberly]

The pilot may be an asshole but the controller was in the wrong here. When a pilot is in a panic situation it is that controllers job to keep him calm and safe with clear and concise instructions to the best of his ability. Just like a 911 dispatcher you are trained and expected to deal with these situations. You are dealing with possibly panicked, disoriented, confused, and scared pilots up there, and you are their only lifeline out of the situation. If you can't handle the job, pass him to someone who can.

[rayodell]

With regards as to who was right and who was wrong, I think it was six of one and half a dozen of the other, they both needed to take a deep breath, stop trying to score points off each other and get the plane down safely!!!!

[jerryn]

Subscribed to your channel about 6 weeks back, really enjoy it and your analysis of the situation is great, keep up the good work 😄

[MarioDeSouza]

The pilot should have never said he had the airport in sight. Once you say that, ATC is going to assume that you can see the runway and is going to be confused about as to why you're then asking for vectors.

[ScarboroughTourist]

Lessons to be learned by both parties.... mainly the ATC. Discuss on the ground; sort it out first.

[carlosp]

Listening to this it really sounds like this pilot and controller have some bad history. I’ve heard some entitled pilots be jerks to controllers at my airport and I wonder if this is one of those cases. Not that it’s the same, but the USMC trains controllers at my airport and most of us are very patient and kind to the students (after all, we were pretty bad on the radio ourselves when we were student pilots). Still, occasionally you do have that entitled jerk that is just difficult to deal with, so much so that everyone recognizes his/her voice and tail number when he/she keys up.

[RandalLSchwartz]

My guess is that the pilot had some IFR training, but was either incomplete (unrated for IFR) or out of currency. I would have taken the ILS approach for sure in scattered to broken layers like that, especially at night. Nice gentle slope down, right to the numbers. PP-ASEL-IA with 270 hours in the left seat.

[areza]

Pilot here, I agree ATC was too nonchalant and not helping pilot at first, but then the pilot’s attitude really got my attention “I’m stuck, you get me out of this!” It’s an entitled, obnoxious statement. Speaks to who he really is.

[SkipJack]

The turbulent nature of the flight might not have allowed him to set his equipment up for an instrument approach. I've been in mod turbulance and was very challenged with merely changing radio frequencies, much less setting my equipment up for an unplanned instrument approach at an airport Im unfamiliar with. Compound that with "staring death in the face" your IQ drops into the negative... Thus needing his "hand held" during this "emergency" is warranted. What do you think? Even though the pilot might have had the AP in sight and reported so, doesn't guarantee the situation is solidified. Situations change quickly, even at 120kts... At night, it would be nearly impossible to guarantee that visual unless it was off the nose. I feel for that pilot. I've been in similar situations as a new pilot. Currently, a 1500hr Private w/instrument, complex, multi, high performance endorcments, I don't know it all, by any stretch, just saying things change and change rapidly, especially under extreme stress due to confusion, proficiency, and weather.

[PromisesAreMadeByLiars]

Can u do some story time videos of your experience? and things that was interesting while you worked?
And maybe explain any difference between military and civilian
I'm sure u got a lot u can make videos about i hope u do soon thanks love the explanations

[gregorylenton]

WOW That Was Intense and Uncalled for by Rude traffic pilot was in a bad shape needed help not...being yelled AT

[terrydavis]

Great channel, I would love some story time videos about your time as ATC.

[kdkarr]

I recently found you and really enjoy your explanations. Keep up the good work!

[josephcovino]

My opinion at this time is the controller should have asked him if he would like vectors to VFR then guided him to the nearest airport, as his problem seems to be he's having trouble flying Imc. I don't expect him to have that perception however to stop pushing the ILS, And he should never engage in an argument with the pilot who is distressed. If the pilot was comfortable flying IFR he would have just continued. I flew as tour pilot to Kahului and the other islands years ago and know how those surprise low clouds can make a pilot nervous if he is not feeling confident IFR. Just my opinion at this time. CFIAM JOE COVINO Lake Havasu, Arizona.

[hansraub]

Sounds like an Entitled pilot taking advantage of an emergency call.