NATCA Bookshelf

you get to Culpepper, the airfield will be closed. I'm sure there'll be some people around. If not, I'm based there with my airplane. I'll send my wife down to make sure you get into a hangar and get some transportation so you don't have to worry about any of that. Soon after, the pilot was out of the clouds and on his way to a safe landing. From Ridley, one final reassuring transmission: RIDLEY: Nine victor alpha, radar service terminated. Go on over to Unicom, land, have yourself a nice cool drink. Louis Charles Ridley Potomac TRACON (PCT) 11 "There is full service air traffic control, and then there is what Louis Ridley provided to the pilot of a small aircraft the day after the Fourth of July last year. 'Above and Beyond' doesn't remotely capture what this incredible NATCA member did. "Louis, a veteran pilot himself and a flight instructor as well, began this amazing flight assist by alertly noticing that the air- craft was stuck circling above a cloud bank over Shenandoah Airport in Virginia without an instrument flight rules rating or qualifications. There was 45 minutes of fuel left and mountain- ous terrain below. "Louis made this save work perfectly by reassuring the pilot, giv- ing him expert instructions and information and – you just can't make this up – had his wife, Carolyn, waiting for the pilot at his eventual destination, Culpepper, Va. She drove him and his wife back to Manassas, Va., so they could get their car to go home. "What more could he have done? Get a pot of coffee going at Culpepper? Actually, yes, he asked Carolyn to do that too. Amaz- ing. I am deeply honored and proud that Louis is representing the Eastern Region at this year's Archie League banquet." Eastern Region RVP Phil Barbarello:

• Cover