Dudley Henriques wrote:
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.


I guess you really pay attention when this may be the last voice you
hear! :-)

I've never flown a GCA approach, but it sounds like fun ... in practice!

Matt