Paul Riley wrote:
"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
Paul Riley wrote:
"Dudley Henriques" wrote in message
news Each pilot in other words, is being encouraged and REMINDED, to be in a
constant state of self evaluation as to the ability to perform at any
given time and place.
It ain't much......but it helps!

--
Dudley Henriques
Dudley,

You are exactly right.

I flew a zero-zero GCA, at night, in a UHIB, at the An Khe airfield in
late 1965. No other place to go. We were on mortar patrol, had just been
relieved on station by our replacement aircraft. Ground fog had moved in,
even the replacement aircraft was not aware of it. No one expected it. I
had an instrument rating, my copilot did not. Our other option was to go
crash in the jungle someplace (with the bad guys, but where it was
clear). Since we did not have enough fuel to divert to a safe landing
area--more than 45 minutes away (hey, this was Nam) we decided it was our
only option. Obviously, we made it, believe it or not, no damage to
aircraft or crew. The GCA Controller got three quarts of Johnny Walker
Red the next morning. G
Let me guess ... this was what was left over from the 6 quarts the crew
started with that night! :-)

I'm glad you made it!

Matt

Nope, we had zero when we started. But when we finished, we did, err, uhhh,
imbibe somewhat--AFTER we changed our shorts. :-))))

Then, we went to our footlockers, got out what we had stashed, gave it to
the GCA guy. He earned it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul




A good GCA final controller, if they are REALLY good, can calm down a
jittery pilot just by the tone of their voice.
It's funny about things like that. Good pilots remember a good final
controller.

--
Dudley Henriques