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Pilot loses instrument panel, uses iPad to navigate, then lands at Grand Junction
Pilot lands plane using iPad after entire instrument panel/ inflight navigation system/ radio fails. - The navigation system on Raymond Cody's single-engine plane failed not long after take-off on Tuesday morning. - He was able to use his cellphone to speak to a TSA agent (who acts as a human radio interconnect with tower) at the airport, and an app on his iPad to track his flight path. (www.dailymail.co.uk) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I might know what this is all about, I think there is an answer that covers every part of this story.....the pilot is an Apple salesman!!!!!! What do you think? LOL!!!!!
Photo,
The point those of us in the aviation world are trying to make is there is no story here. Folks fly every day with no instruments, radios or cellphones. Heck, some folks fly in aircraft without electrical systems. There appears to be no weather related issues, So he could have followed the AIM procedures for NORDO and gotten a light gun signal from the tower. I am perplexed why someone driving a Bonanza, with an iPad did not think a backup handheld transceiver is a good idea to carry. There are too many descrepancies for this story to be credible (unless details are missing). I am not buying it as presented. I wonder if it would be a good idea for someone from the FSDO office to have a talk with the pilot to determine his currency to fly?
The point those of us in the aviation world are trying to make is there is no story here. Folks fly every day with no instruments, radios or cellphones. Heck, some folks fly in aircraft without electrical systems. There appears to be no weather related issues, So he could have followed the AIM procedures for NORDO and gotten a light gun signal from the tower. I am perplexed why someone driving a Bonanza, with an iPad did not think a backup handheld transceiver is a good idea to carry. There are too many descrepancies for this story to be credible (unless details are missing). I am not buying it as presented. I wonder if it would be a good idea for someone from the FSDO office to have a talk with the pilot to determine his currency to fly?
Some pilots have a back-up portable radio, and could use it in such a case of losing their electronics. Apparently the man did not have one, or didn't have one with him. Otherwise he wouldn't have felt the need to call the airport.
There is some extra level of comfort in talking to a person beyond that of a light gun signal.
I don't question the man's skills as a pilot, one his decision to call ahead. In a world of pervasive cell coverage, who wants to land with a light gun signal alone when options are readily available.
I can understand that TSA agent's need to actually "do" something that makes him feel that his job is actually valuable.
The pilot cetainly didn't mind having a person to talk to, who was in radio communication with the tower.
Rolling the fire apparatus seems a bit much, but gave those guys something to do that day to break up the afternoon.
That the story had a happy ending, talks to the pilot's abilities. That he was able to competently fly with analog gauges alone, and come up with a creative communication solution, shows that he is able to deal with unexpected challenges.
Sometimes a feel-goid story with a happy result is just that. No need to be cynical about everything. There are enough other more legit reasons for cynicism in the world.
There is some extra level of comfort in talking to a person beyond that of a light gun signal.
I don't question the man's skills as a pilot, one his decision to call ahead. In a world of pervasive cell coverage, who wants to land with a light gun signal alone when options are readily available.
I can understand that TSA agent's need to actually "do" something that makes him feel that his job is actually valuable.
The pilot cetainly didn't mind having a person to talk to, who was in radio communication with the tower.
Rolling the fire apparatus seems a bit much, but gave those guys something to do that day to break up the afternoon.
That the story had a happy ending, talks to the pilot's abilities. That he was able to competently fly with analog gauges alone, and come up with a creative communication solution, shows that he is able to deal with unexpected challenges.
Sometimes a feel-goid story with a happy result is just that. No need to be cynical about everything. There are enough other more legit reasons for cynicism in the world.
The TSA agent used his radio to communicate with the tower and the fire apparatus, while on the phone with the pilot.
The ATC controller probably appreciated having the convenience of being able to communicate with the pilot normally via radio, without having to initiate or receive any phone calls, by havibg the the agent relay the communications on the phone (if the pilot wasn't hearing the tower directly through the agent's radio by speakerphone in the office).
The ATC controller probably appreciated having the convenience of being able to communicate with the pilot normally via radio, without having to initiate or receive any phone calls, by havibg the the agent relay the communications on the phone (if the pilot wasn't hearing the tower directly through the agent's radio by speakerphone in the office).
*ATC
http://rightstartups.com/ipad-application-assists-pilot-landing-plane-mechanical-failure-465/
The pilot was apparently comfortable flying the plane visually by stick, and just continued after losing all his electronics. I had read that the pilot had already made into his heading toward the destination airport and just maintained that heading after the malfunction.
He only called the airport to report that he'd be landing, given that his radiowas out. The number that popped up first was for the TSA office at the airport. Had the ACT number been readily available (I'm imagining he used an iPhone or some smart phone to do a quick search on the fly), he would've called the tower directly.
Apparently it was the TSA supervisor who used an iPad to track the plane and confirm the planes location for the pilot.
Still not sure why the TSA agent didn't have the tower call the pilot directly, but I guess the two of them got a chance to shoot the breeze, while the pilot completed his trip. The pilot seems very appreciative of the fellow's actions.
The pilot was apparently comfortable flying the plane visually by stick, and just continued after losing all his electronics. I had read that the pilot had already made into his heading toward the destination airport and just maintained that heading after the malfunction.
He only called the airport to report that he'd be landing, given that his radiowas out. The number that popped up first was for the TSA office at the airport. Had the ACT number been readily available (I'm imagining he used an iPhone or some smart phone to do a quick search on the fly), he would've called the tower directly.
Apparently it was the TSA supervisor who used an iPad to track the plane and confirm the planes location for the pilot.
Still not sure why the TSA agent didn't have the tower call the pilot directly, but I guess the two of them got a chance to shoot the breeze, while the pilot completed his trip. The pilot seems very appreciative of the fellow's actions.
I have used my cell phone a couple of times, one to call a mechanic at a non-controlled airport to give us a gear down call after it appeared our nose gear was not
fully down on a retract. No problem on cell coverage. On another occasion we lost all
electrical on an IFR flight in and out of the clouds. Had the phone number for the associated tower/approach control and advised them of the situation via cell phone, broke out in the clear and proceeded the airport. Yes the old standby light gun signal worked as it should and we landed without incident. As a side note you can buy an adaptor for headsets that you can plug your cell phone in to.
Having flown a lot in western Colorado there are a lot of high mountains, you can bet your
last $ that the pilot was in VFR conditions or knew where VFR prevailed and flew accordingly.
If it were me and the electric system failed shortly after takeoff I would have proceeded back to the airport of departure and checked out the reason, could have been something serious. Also, if the pilot had foreflight or Garmin Pilot on the I-pad it lists airport
facility directories, i.e., phone numbers for ATC!
5342G
fully down on a retract. No problem on cell coverage. On another occasion we lost all
electrical on an IFR flight in and out of the clouds. Had the phone number for the associated tower/approach control and advised them of the situation via cell phone, broke out in the clear and proceeded the airport. Yes the old standby light gun signal worked as it should and we landed without incident. As a side note you can buy an adaptor for headsets that you can plug your cell phone in to.
Having flown a lot in western Colorado there are a lot of high mountains, you can bet your
last $ that the pilot was in VFR conditions or knew where VFR prevailed and flew accordingly.
If it were me and the electric system failed shortly after takeoff I would have proceeded back to the airport of departure and checked out the reason, could have been something serious. Also, if the pilot had foreflight or Garmin Pilot on the I-pad it lists airport
facility directories, i.e., phone numbers for ATC!
5342G