what a mid-air crash sounds like to air traffic controllers

Oct. 25, 2007
Another item from the AVweb newsletter: The audio of the ATC handling a mid-air emergency is quite interesting. It runs about 8 minutes. MIDAIR DRAMA UNFOLDS IN TOWER TAPE AUDIO ...

Another item from the AVweb newsletter: The audio of the ATC handling a mid-air emergency is quite interesting. It runs about 8 minutes.

MIDAIR DRAMA UNFOLDS IN TOWER TAPE AUDIO

(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/984-full.html#196454)

A reader sent us the tower tape clip (MP3

(http://www.avweb.com/other/FRG_MidAir_TowerAudio.mp3)) of the

exchange between a smooth, professional air traffic controller at

Republic Airport on Long Island and the pilot of a Piper Saratoga

who'd been in a midair collision with a Cessna 152 last Sunday. As we

reported on Monday

(http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/MidairCollisionEndsHappily_196430-1.html),

both pilots were able to land their aircraft without incident but the

tower tape reveals just what it takes to recover two damaged aircraft

on the same runway during a busy period at a large GA airport. The

first call from the Saratoga pilot comes about 2:15 on the audio file,

but listen to the whole thing to get a feel for what the controller

was up against in getting the damaged aircraft on the ground without

anyone else (including a student launching for his first solo) getting

in the way or into trouble.

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/984-full.html#196454

About the Author

Lee Teschler | Editor

Leland was Editor-in-Chief of Machine Design. He has 34 years of Service and holds a B.S. Engineering from the University of Michigan, a B.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan;, and a MBA from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining Penton, Lee worked as a Communications design engineer for the U.S. Government.

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