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W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 7 N AT C A D A I LY D I S PAT C H 7 Mason Braddock Atlanta TRACON Brian Bond Phoenix TRACON Clay Sutton Atlanta TRACON Carlton Wickstrom Phoenix TRACON Patrick Burrows Atlanta TRACON Aaron C. Fones Phoenix TRACON Keith Tyus Atlanta TRACON Nichole Surunis Atlanta TRACON SOUTHERN REGION: On Feb. 14, 2016, the pilot of a Cessna 172S departed from Madison Municipal Airport (52A) to conduct aerial photography at a location 10 miles southwest of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). The pilot contacted Atlanta TRACON (A80) and controller Patrick Burrows to advise her location and declare an emergency due to a malfunction, the throttle was stuck in the max power setting. Burrows briefed the controller in charge (CIC), Clay Sutton, who immediately established specific duties for team members during this emergency. First, Mason Braddock was briefed on the situation and advised that the pilot would be contacting him due to the greatly improved frequency reception. Next, Sutton reassigned Nichole Surunis to assist Braddock. Braddock continued to communicate with the pilot, at times reminding her to watch her airspeed and continually reassuring her. Sutton and FLM Bryant Vaughan decided that a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) should provide additional service. The CFI advised that the pilot make a gradual descent to the runway in an effort to keep airspeed down, then once over the runway threshold, pull the mixture to shut down the engine. As the aircraft was circling, the pilot spotted the ARFF (aviation rescue and fire fighting) emergency vehicles staged at Runway 10. Braddock, in a calm and reassuring voice, assured her that he was there for her and everything was going to be fine. Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Specialist Keith Tyus, who is also a CFI, was brought on to further assess the situation. Tyus monitored the situation and provided valuable information to the team from a skilled pilot's perspective. Once the pilot had re-established the aircraft on final and began the approach, Braddock provided reassurance and wind checks until it was confirmed that the aircraft landed safely. WESTERN PACIFIC REGION: On Jan. 19, 2016, a winter weather system was moving through the northern half of Arizona. It brought snow, gusty winds, low ceilings, and moderate turbulence throughout the affected airspace sectors of Phoenix TRACON (P50). That evening, Carlton Wickstrom received a call from Albuquerque Center (ZAB). The controller advised Wickstrom that a Cessna 172S en route to Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR) was having trouble maintaining an assigned heading. Wickstrom advised the pilot that Prescott (PRC) was 35 miles to the east if that was an option she would like to look at. The pilot indicated she would like to try for PRC. Wickstrom began to issue no-gyro vectors to get her pointed back towards PRC. During this time, front line manager Doug Hart sought the help of two experienced pilots. Aaron C. Fones was moved to provide technical assistance. Brian Bond was also paged back to the control room. Hart, who himself is a pilot, displayed outstanding awareness in bringing these assets into the situation. Fones took over talking on the frequency to the aircraft. He once again asked if her wings were level and instructed her to add as much power as she could and start a gradual climb. A mountain peak with an elevation of 7,900 feet is approximately eight miles to the west of PRC. Fones calmly issued no-gyro vectors to get the pilot turned to the left and pointed towards the airport. PRC tower called and advised that the aircraft was in sight and Fones switched her to PRC tower frequency. AOPA Air Safety Institute: Flight Assist Commendation Awards Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI) Director of Education Paul Deres will present the annual AOPA ASI Flight Assist Commendation Awards during the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet this evening. AOPA's Air Safety Institute awards Flight Assist Commendations to air traffic controllers who guided general aviation pilots to safe landings despite thunderstorms, icing, mountainous terrain, and inoperative instruments and radios. The controllers honored tonight were all originally nominated for an Archie League Medal of Safety Award. They responded calmly to pilots with critical heading and weather information. AOPA believes this makes them stand out as exceptional safety professionals worthy of recognition. The Air Safety Institute will recognize these controllers with the 2017 Flight Assist Commendations: EASTERN REGION John Karnbach, New York TRACON GREAT LAKES REGION Eric Miner, Chicago Midway ATCT Matt Reavis and John Perczak, Detroit TRACON SOUTHERN REGION Darren Tumelson, Memphis Center WESTERN PACIFIC REGION William Mitchell and Eddie Yurus, Southern California TRACON Greg Schildmeier, Los Angeles Center

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