NORTHWEST MOUNTAIN REGION 18
AARON GRIJALVA
DENVER TRACON
On Dec. 11, 2016, a student pilot of a Cessna 172S checked in on
Denver TRACON (D01) frequency. Controller Aaron Grijalva began
working the aircraft in the Satellite Radar 4 area. The pilot was difficult
to understand and requested flight following in the Centennial Airport
(APA) area and navigational aid to Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB). The
student pilot was having a difficult time navigating through the clouds
and repeatedly asked to be vectored around them.
N5327J: Um, is there any way you [unreadable], I can vector around the
clouds?
Grijalva: And 27J, if you're asking about…if…are you asking us if we can
vector you around the clouds? Is that what you're asking?
N5327J: Yeah.
Grijalva: 27J, unfortunately I'm…I'm not able to see the clouds.
Grijalva remained calm and explained the limitations of radar to the
student pilot, offering several options, including returning to APA.
He inquired about the aircraft's flight conditions and the student
pilot's intentions, as the aircraft seemed to be off course and not
making progress towards the destination. The pilot seemed a little
disorientated and unclear on what he should do. Grijalva also is a pilot
and provided guidance and weather conditions, as well as basic flight
maneuvers to the student pilot.
Example of a Cessna 172S
