Recent content by James Allen

I didn't mean to hijack this thread. I have never really had a chance to speak about GCA with other professionals. Thanks to all of you for your comments and patience. Nice to hear from "the other side" so to speak.

Thanks. MATCU 73 had some great controllers. During my time at Santa Ana, we went over to the tower at El Toro. Weren't allowed to even look at the A6's parked below, they pulled the shades down on that side of the tower. We did get to see a P51D do low approaches. My dad was a rear seater...

Had many multi-engine aircraft come into Willow Grove with one engine out. Got pretty good at "start turn-stop turn" all the way down the glide slope. Never wanted to turn too far, 360's are hell to correct.

I did active reserve duty at Santa Ana (Tustin), New River and Bogue Field (twice). I was at Glynco from about mid September 1971 - early January 1972, I think. Long time ago. Wife was with me and we lived in military housing in Brunswick GA. What an experience.

A4’s, F4’s, P2’s, all were fun. F4 landing speed just a few knots above stall speed. Had to be careful of spacing. “No Gyro” approaches were challenging, only turns into the bad engine.

Willow Grove PA

Former Marine GCA controller here from 1971 to 1977. From memory, give two 30 degree turns to establish radar contact, radar contact, "If no transmission received for one minute in the pattern or 5 seconds on final, contact tower", 5 second transmission break at 3 miles (confirm wheels down...