If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
What was controller implying??
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. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
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. Good move. The combination of convective activity, deteriorating weather, and an unsure fuel situation is not fun. But you knew that :-) 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?? It's bizarre that he should even ask this, but don't let it get to you. The only thing I can think of is he suspects you're in some kind of trouble and is trying to figure out if he should handle you as an emergency. Tell him something that'll make him happy, and get on with flying the airplane. Tell him you're diverting due to weather. Declare minimum fuel if you think it'll make a difference. If he's not taking the hint, just tell him straight out what you need, "Request clearance to Podunk Municipal and vectors to the ILS". If he's still not taking the hint, request immediate clearance. From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. OK, so you caused him a problem. Bummer. He can go home after his shift and bitch at his wife about the bad day he had at the office. Not your problem. Your problem is to get some more fuel, and unless you're flying something a lot fancier than most of us, that means landing at an airport. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
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??" And you answer "Because." From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. No problem, just unexpected. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
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. Bob Gardner "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. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Bill J wrote in
: 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 suspect you were too close to the airport for vectoring or there might have been a traffic conflict. On my initial request to the controller, I would have said "request landing at XYZ due to weather". |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
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? "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. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Nothing new in the ATCH.
Bob Gardner "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? "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. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
"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 |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
A search of the ATCH for "destination" returns 72 hits. None of them has
anything to do with a civil pilot's request for a change of destination (there is some guidance for military flights). Maybe Steve or Newps knows of some other source of guidance for controllers that supplements/overrides the ATCH. Bob Gardner "Michael 182" wrote in message 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 |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
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 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. -- Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P "Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike) Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Lighting Controller Updated | [email protected] | Home Built | 0 | January 11th 05 06:34 PM |
Columns by a Canadian centre controller | David Megginson | Instrument Flight Rules | 1 | August 9th 04 10:05 PM |
Cockpit Lighting Controller | Richard | Home Built | 0 | April 8th 04 07:12 AM |
Instrument Lighting Controller (Multi-Channel Dimmer) | Richard | Home Built | 0 | April 3rd 04 12:26 AM |
Controller Forum | Greg Esres | Instrument Flight Rules | 3 | August 2nd 03 03:53 AM |