Air Traffic Controllers Honored for Action Above and Beyond

by Mike Hall, Mar 9, 2009

Sixteen air traffic controllers credited with 11 “saves” in 2008—meaning they assisted pilots in landing safely, avoiding collisions or overcoming instrument failures—were honored last week with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Archie League Medal of Safety awards.

Air traffic controllers juggle a variety of variables and complex scenarios. Their ability to adapt to ever-changing situations while keeping their composure is a skill they have mastered. Says NATCA President Patrick Forrey:

Though the men and women these controllers saved call them heroes, for these controllers it was simply a matter of relying on their training and experience—allowing them to react with precision and skill, without hesitation. Heroic yet humble, these controllers represent our profession well, and their commitment to safety inspires everything we do at NATCA.

John Charlton who works the Lake Charles, La., tower was honored with the President’s Award for his work in safely guiding a student pilot on a solo flight to a safe landing in September. Charlton had cleared the Cessna to land, but the student pilot failed the first two attempts. According to NATCA’s summary of the save:

After offering advice for a third attempt that proved unsuccessful, he alerted crash and rescue as a precaution for this risky predicament that had so quickly developed.

He instructed the pilot to do as he said without responding back. This would allow her to focus on his words, and his words alone. He spent the rest of the flight talking her through cross wind correction, keeping proper airspeed and finally through the instructions for cutting power towards descent.

When the aircraft started to settle, he instructed the pilot to add pitch and, after a total of four unsuccessful attempts, the aircraft finally touched down successfully. Before ending the assist, Charlton made sure that the pilot had applied her brakes and taxied clear of the runway in order to not only ensure her safety, but the safety of those around her.

Click here for links to a transcript and audio of the transmission between Charlton and the student pilot. Click here for a complete list of the winners. Audio and transcripts of those saves can be found here.

The award, named for Archie League, the first air traffic controller, salutes controllers who display extraordinary skill to ensure safety in critical situations.

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