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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 6 Patrick M. Armstrong Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON Eric J. Knight Boston ATCT Aaron Grijalva Denver TRACON Ross Leshinsky Boston ATCT For the last 13 years, the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet has paid homage to heroic flight assists that exemplify the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of our members. This year is no different. We are featuring winners in each issue of the Daily Dispatch so you can better understand the events that led them to win the award. Today we have the honor of introducing New England Region winners Eric J. Knight and Ross Leshinsky (BOS), Northwest Mountain Region winner Aaron Grijalva (D01), Southern Region winners Mason Braddock, Patrick Burrows, Nichole Surunis, Clay Sutton, and Keith Tyus (A80), Southwest Region winner Patrick M. Armstrong (D10), and Western Pacific Region winners Brian Bond, Aaron C. Fones, and Carlton Wickstrom (P50). NEW ENGLAND REGION: On the evening of Oct. 20, 2016, Boston (BOS) Logan Airport was set in an uncommon configuration due to weather and low ceilings: Controllers were running ILS (instrument landing system) approaches to Runway 4R, while ILS approaches to 15R were circling to land on 4L. The tower already was short-staffed, when they got a call from a local hospital that the front line manager's wife had been in an accident and he needed to leave. (She was not seriously injured.) A Piedmont Airlines De Havilland Dash 8-300 aircraft was making the circle approach to 4L when the CIC (controller in charge), Eric J. Knight, and LCW (local control west) controller Ross Leshinsky noticed that the aircraft was on an abnormal profile. Everyone in the tower kept an especially careful eye on the aircraft as it was on its short base over the channel. The aircraft came in on a short dogleg. When the plane rolled out with less than an eighth of a mile to go, it was actually lined up for Taxiway B instead of 4L. It was Knight who noticed immediately that the aircraft was lined up for the taxiway. After Leshinsky issued the go-around instruction, the aircraft began to pull up and flew over a JetBlue aircraft that was on the taxiway. NORTHWEST MOUNTAIN REGION: 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, who was difficult to understand, requested flight following in the Centennial Airport (APA) area and requested 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. 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 they should do. Grijalva, who is also a pilot, provided guidance and weather conditions as well as basic flight maneuvers to the student pilot. His expertise helped the pilot stabilize the aircraft and navigate back towards APA, where the weather was reported to be better. The student pilot again asked to continue on to PUB, but Grijalva used his judgment and ability to reason to convince the student pilot to return the aircraft to the ground and make sure they were ready to conduct the flight. The aircraft is based at the flight school at APA, so after the incident, Grijalva was able to contact the pilot's flight instructor. The certified flight instructor said the pilot would be retrained on navigation and radio procedures before advancing in their flight-training program. SOUTHWEST REGION: On March 10, 2016, a Beechcraft B35 was on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) fight plan from El Paso Airport (ELP) to Grand Prairie Airport (GPM). The pilot was having trouble landing at GPM, and checked in on frequency with Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON (D10). D10 controller Patrick Armstrong immediately began working with him. Over the course of this event, the pilot attempted the only instruments approach available – RNAV/GPS Runway 35 – twice into Grand Prairie. The weather for Grand Prairie was five miles visibility, light rain, and ceilings overcast at 800 feet. The pilot was having difficulty maintaining altitude and headings while attempting to fly the RNAV/GPS approaches. After two unsuccessful attempts, the pilot advised that he had only 10 minutes of fuel remaining, making the imminent situation all the more pressing. Patrick quickly thought of all his options and offered the pilot an ILS approach at neighboring Arlington Municipal Airport (KGKY). The pilot concurred with Armstrong and was vectored for the ILS approach into Arlington. Armstrong, knowing that the pilot did not have time to get the weather or to find the Arlington ILS approach plate, issued weather and approach plate information to the pilot. Armstrong coordinated with Arlington tower, received and issued a landing clearance, and worked the aircraft to a successful landing. The pilot later called the TRACON and talked specifically with Armstrong to thank him for saving his life. He even offered a steak dinner to Armstrong at a restaurant of his choice. ARCHIE LEAGUE Medal of Safety Awards 13TH ANNUAL

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