The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Air Safety\nInstitute (ASI) has released a new episode in its popular Real Pilot Story\nvideo series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the latest video, Real Pilot Story: Trouble Over\nParadise, Cessna Caravan pilot Ken Allen experiences piercing pain to the right\nside of his head during an otherwise routine flight. A quick-thinking passenger\npulls Ken from the cockpit, stopping the ensuing nosedive, and radios ATC for\nhelp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“In this real pilot story, it’s here that this extraordinary\nevent becomes especially intriguing,” explains AOPA Air Safety Institute\nSenior Director Paul Deres. “Air traffic controller at Fort Pierce Tower,\nChip Flores, quickly and calmly instructed the passenger to level the wings and\nstart a slow descent while Chip’s team coordinated with Palm Beach Tower,”\ncontinued Deres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As luck would have it, Palm Beach air traffic\ncontroller and flight instructor Robert ‘Bobby’ Morgan was on duty that day and\nwas able to guide the accidental pilot to a safe landing,” Deres\nconcluded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)\npresented Chip and Bobby the 2023 President’s Award for their heroic efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ASI’s Real Pilot Story series allows pilots to share their\nencounters with a dilemma so others can benefit\u2014while comfortable on the\nground\u2014from lessons learned the hard way in flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n