13
told me he couldn't do an ILS (instrument landing system
approach). I turned him northwest-bound to get him lined
up towards the airport and away from the clouds."
Rabinowitz then told the pilot to start "a nice shallow
descent" of about 300 feet per minute and get the
aircraft slowed down. He turned him in for a straight in
approach for Runway 16 on about a three-mile final when
the pilot reported that he still didn't see the airport.
The pilot continued in, slowly descending, when he finally
saw the airport about a mile ahead. Rabinowitz cleared
him to land on Runway 16 after the N90 controller in
charge coordinated with HPN Tower.
Rabinowitz later found out the extent of the pilot's
difficulties after speaking with the HPN tower controller.
The pilot had a total electrical failure and was just using a
compass for the headings Rabinowitz was issuing him.
Brian exemplified the qualities
that are expected of the highly
trained and highly qualified
controllers of NATCA. Users
of the NAS depend upon this
kind of work to ensure they
safely arrive at their destination.
The professionalism and
commitment to safety
exemplified by NATCA
controllers day in and day out is
awe-inspiring.
ยป Eastern Regional
Vice President Rich Santa:
