jim ullmann
northwest mountain RVP
"This year's Archie League Award winners
from the Northwest Mountain Region have
again shown that teamwork is one of the
keys to success in air traffic control. Al
Passero, Matt Dippé, and Mark Haechler
worked as a team to ensure a positive
outcome, aer a general aviation aircra
found itself in flight conditions that led to an
emergency being declared. As usual in the
Northwest Mountain Region, high terrain
and IFR weather were a factor. To make this
year's awards even more special for me, the
winners are controllers from the D Area at
ZSE, my facility and area of record."
17
N3048E: 0-2-0, 48E, roger.
Haechler: N48E turn right heading 1-4-0, vector for terrain,
and once you climb to 10,000, I will have on course for you, sir,
but my minimum IFR altitude in your area is 8,800.
Because the aircraft had become an emergency, the controllers
decided to have the Skyhawk pilot fly the approach, while
vectoring him to the final approach course. This would allow the
controllers to step him down to the airport gradually while still
monitoring his actions. Throughout this, the pilot repeatedly
turned west and they would have to correct his course to get
him back on track.
Haechler: N48E, I show you westbound, sir. You should be
established on a 3-1-4 radial proceeding towards Klamath
Falls VOR.
N3048E: You're telling us to do the VOR DME runway 1-4, right,
48E?
Haechler: N48E, affirmative, sir. I need you established on the
Klamath Falls 3-1-4 radial.
Eventually, the pilot broke out of the weather and was able to
see the airport. Haechler, Passero, and Dippé were then able to
transfer him to the tower where the pilot made a safe landing.
