Houston Air Traffic Controller Saves Pilots Life!

Been there, done that. I had a controller talk me down from 13,000' through the clouds to where ceilings were 3,000' AGL. That was a long day. :yes:
 
In my experience Houston Approach controllers are great. I've never been forgotten at Houston like I have at Denver...and I'm Denver based.
 
Geico266 said:
Been there, done that. I had a controller talk me down from 13,000' through the clouds to where ceilings were 3,000' AGL. That was a long day. :yes:
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Do you get in trouble for that?
 
Awesome save! I hope the guy starts his instrument training.
 
Good to see the controller was able to help. Pilot needs to take some IFR training,or do a better pre flight for weather,could have gone bad real quick.
 
Clark1961 said:
In my experience Houston Approach controllers are great. I've never been forgotten at Houston like I have at Denver...and I'm Denver based.
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You've noticed that too, about Denver?
 
JasonM said:
I would hope not, otherwise other pilots in need of help will be afraid to ask.
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I was thinking if VFR stuck on top needs vectors to get down they are followed by a phone number.
 
I take it you guys were never treated to simulated VAR or PAR approaches during PP training? See if you can get an instructor pilot and try it. You'll have more confidence in ATC.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Do you get in trouble for that?
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This is not a yes or no answer. Someone will most definitely be asking questions. Whether those questions result in punitive actions depends on how it transpired.

If you did your due diligence, got a weather briefing, and did your best to conclude the flight would be fine, you probably wouldn't get in much trouble if any.

If you blew off the weather briefing, blew off all the signs and diligence, and got screwed, they'd probably spank you.
 
No argument, but thought I would add.. I personally believe that if a pilot reaches out to ATC for help and complies with their requests, that they should not be punished. I would much rather have a guy on the radio with ATC in the soup than to try to get through it off radar while I am in the clouds.
 
JasonM said:
No argument, but thought I would add.. I personally believe that if a pilot reaches out to ATC for help and complies with their requests, that they should not be punished. I would much rather have a guy on the radio with ATC in the soup than to try to get through it off radar while I am in the clouds.
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We all would hope that there are no repercussions for what happened. Otherwise it will cause pilots to avoid calling for help. The only reason this guy made it was he wasn't to arrogant to call and say help me. But if a pilot is afraid that now they will get in trouble with the FAA, they might avoid making that call.
 
TommyG said:
We all would hope that there are no repercussions for what happened. Otherwise it will cause pilots to avoid calling for help. The only reason this guy made it was he wasn't to arrogant to call and say help me. But if a pilot is afraid that now they will get in trouble with the FAA, they might avoid making that call.
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Agreed. I think many things the FAA does incentivizes bad/risky behavior. I wonder how many undiagnosed diabetics are flying, or how many people put off other warning signs for fears of losing their medical. Its ludicrous.
 
Glad the pilot made it down safely...but he should never have been there to begin with. I went to San Antonio last weekend, and decided not to fly because of weather. Skies were low overcast from dawn to dusk between SA and Houston. Kerrville is not too far west of SA as the Piper flies...even if it was crystal-clear there, there was no surprise about what he was going to find over the last 250 miles of his trip.
 
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