On Sat, 03 Feb 2007 04:48:10 GMT, Nathan Young
wrote:


Was it just me, or was the controller excessively blase about the
Mayday call?


That thought crossed my mind, too. However, I realize that time
compression may have amplified my impression. On the other hand, he's
like the first cop on the scene who has to say "nothing to see here
folks", and try to keep / restore order, even though he KNOWS there's
a mess.

He did quickly provide her with the options of a nearby airport,
freezing level, and groundspeed data. I think his even tone was a
plus. I remember the recording on Jay's site of the guy flipping and
spinning a piston single in the clouds. The controller's calm was
staggering, and I think it helps the pilot.

The way I look at it, it's stressful for anybody to hear those
transmissions, including other pilots, who provided a PIREP and asked
later about her.

We only have the sound of voices to base our Monday morning
quarterbacking on. We can say what we want, and it's not the
controller who crashes, blah, blah, blah... I believe everyone on
that frequency had a raised pulse, and he's got to keep everything
else in order at the same time.

I did find it weird that when he pointed out more, possibly freezing,
rain ahead, and that she's flying @ in 0C air, she didn't seem that
interested.