What was controller implying??

In article pdvYc.252$_g7.162@attbi_s52,
Michael 182 wrote:

I've had it happen on every IFR flight on which I've changed destination
during flight since 9/11.

I've done it with flight following and most recently (yesterday) IFR.
None of the controllers have asked why. Good thing too -- yesterday
the answer would have been "filed to the wrong airport". I sort of lost
control of the briefer I talked to.

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

I am struck by how often controllers "tone of voice" communicates
something more than he says. In this case, I would have just told him.
"Due to detereorating weather at my destination". One reason it throws
us pilots for a loop, is we don't expect it. One other thing,
controllers are sometimes required to tell the pilot the "reason" for
the deviation etc, so maybe its turnaround is fair play. Who knows
really. Just communicate what you want to do and work it out and don't
worry if he gets perterbed. He's paid ot be perterbed.

Bill J wrote in message ...
Yesterday I was on an IFR flight about 50 miles from destination. The
area was getting covered with TS, including my alternate 20 miles futher
west. Home base was 150 mi to the east. I realized I might have to
reverse course to escape, but did not have enough fuel to get home for sure.

So, the last chance to land before the TS got heavy was coming close.
When about 15 miles from this new "alternate" I told controller I wanted
to change destination. I expect a vector to the final, and I was needing
to start descent. Nothing happened. Finally when maybe 5 miles out, and
way to close to get a vector, controller quizzed me with "I need to know
what is the reason for the change in destination??"

From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. The traffic
was not heavy. I have never had anyone question a change like that. When
over the airport VMC opened up briefly, I cancelled and landed.
Wondering what might have caused the query.

Bob Gardner wrote:
Never parse a controller's transmissions in an attempt to analyze his or her
intentions.

Thank you, Bob. If this newsgroup had a FAQ, this would be on it.

Dave

I'm guessing in some areas there may be a security issue
with changes in destination that prompt some questions
on their part.


"Bill J" wrote in message
...
Yesterday I was on an IFR flight about 50 miles from destination. The
area was getting covered with TS, including my alternate 20 miles futher
west. Home base was 150 mi to the east. I realized I might have to
reverse course to escape, but did not have enough fuel to get home for
sure.

So, the last chance to land before the TS got heavy was coming close.
When about 15 miles from this new "alternate" I told controller I wanted
to change destination. I expect a vector to the final, and I was needing
to start descent. Nothing happened. Finally when maybe 5 miles out, and
way to close to get a vector, controller quizzed me with "I need to know
what is the reason for the change in destination??"

From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. The traffic
was not heavy. I have never had anyone question a change like that. When
over the airport VMC opened up briefly, I cancelled and landed.
Wondering what might have caused the query.

Bill J wrote:

Yesterday I was on an IFR flight about 50 miles from destination. The
area was getting covered with TS, including my alternate 20 miles futher
west. Home base was 150 mi to the east. I realized I might have to
reverse course to escape, but did not have enough fuel to get home for
sure.

So, the last chance to land before the TS got heavy was coming close.
When about 15 miles from this new "alternate" I told controller I wanted
to change destination. I expect a vector to the final, and I was needing
to start descent. Nothing happened. Finally when maybe 5 miles out, and
way to close to get a vector, controller quizzed me with "I need to know
what is the reason for the change in destination??"

From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. The traffic
was not heavy. I have never had anyone question a change like that. When
over the airport VMC opened up briefly, I cancelled and landed.
Wondering what might have caused the query.


I don't know what problem your request caused him, but why didn't you
just tell him why and ask why he asked why? :-)


Matt

Bob Gardner wrote:

Never parse a controller's transmissions in an attempt to analyze his or her
intentions. I don't know how you phrased your transmission regarding the
change in destination, but my guess is that it did not contain enough
information. Controllers have to abide by phraseology in the Air Traffic
Control Handbook...pilots have no similar guidance. Say what you have to say
and say it clearly, and I'll bet this never happens again.

Good point. Typically, when I ask for a deviation I include the reason
in the transmission. It takes very little time to say "request vectors
to Podunk Municipal due to weather along route." In the case stated
here, I'd have thought the controller would have guessed the reason, but
maybe he wasn't aware of the weather ahead.

I was flying from ILM to ELM a few years ago. There was a squall line
moving across Virginia and just abeam Richmond it started getting very
dark ahead and the Strikefinder was lighting up like a Christmas tree.
I was about ready to call the controller when he came on and said I had
a line of severe thunderstorms ahead that was causing airline traffic to
divert and inquired as to my intentions. I asked him where the airline
guys were diverting. He said Richmond. I said "I'll take it." He then
gave me a vector to get me headed the right direction. Nothing nicer
than an on the ball controller when things start to turn sour.

It was almost as if he was reading my mind when he called me just as I
was about to key the mic.

Matt

Michelle P wrote:

Bill,
Standard question. I have changed my destination several times on IFR
flight plans and have always been asked. The concern usually seems to be
they want to know if I need assistance. They were concerned an
urgent/emergency situation is developing. A simple reply "weather" would
surfice.

Once I had and "Emergency" in IFR. I lost my alternator in IMC over West
Virginia. I relayed this info to the controller and everyone on the
frequency starting telling me a specific airport to go to. This airport
happened to be close to my route and ahead. I requested a new
destination and was granted. Within 10 minutes the frequency was very
quiet. So quiet I became concerned I had lost my comm radio. I called
the controller and he re-assured me he was still there and that he had
passed off everyone else to another controller and frequency. I landed
safely. Another time I merely had to pee so bad I had a hard time
thinking strait. :-} The controller got a good laugh from that one.
Michelle

You do know that you aren't required to tell the controller EVERY
detail! :-) So, did you make it? :-)


Matt

Matt Whiting wrote:
I asked him where the airline guys were diverting. He said Richmond.
I said "I'll take it."

I don't mean to second guess your decision, but it occurs to me that
going where the airline guys are going may not always be the best pick.
They're looking for an ILS leading to 6000 feet of concrete, and
possibly other criteria driven by business and/or opspec issues. A spam
can may find a 2500 foot runway that's 30 miles closer and still VFR a
better alternative.

That's about as effective as a security requirement that makes ticket
agents ask you if you packed a bomb in your suitcase...



"Michael 182" wrote in
newsdvYc.252$_g7.162@attbi_s52:


"nobody" wrote in message
om...
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of
months - the
controller querying me as to why a change in destination. I'm
wondering if there is a new requirement placed on the controllers
because of "security". Any controllers here that would care to
comment?

I've had it happen on every IFR flight on which I've changed
destination during flight since 9/11. That's about six times.
(headwinds, kids bathroom break, weather.) One controller told me it is
a security requirement.

Michael

"Judah" wrote in message
...
That's about as effective as a security requirement that makes ticket
agents ask you if you packed a bomb in your suitcase...


No argument here...

Michael