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Southern Region: Barry ThompsonBarry Thompson As every radar controller knows, an emergency situation with a flight in trouble is as close as your next radio transmission. On Dec. 1, Controller Barry Thompson, working in the Terminal Radar Approach Control room at Louisville Standiford Tower, found himself as the lifeline for a lost and very panicked pilot of a small plane. TRACON Supervisor Keith Buckner received a call from a fixed base operator at Clark County Airport, located in southern Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville. The FBO had received a distress call from one of its pilots, Charles Moore, who was flying a Cessna 150. The FBO asked for assistance from Louisville Approach. Buckner gave the FBO the frequency of the TRACON’s final control position, which was manned by Thompson. Soon, the call came in from Moore, whose call sign was N45563. Communication was established and Thompson immediately went to work to gather information and pinpoint Moore’s location. Thompson first asked Moore whether his altitude was 700 feet. There was no answer. So Thompson tried again. And again. This would emerge as a frustrating part of this emergency event, the inability of the pilot to consistently and effectively communicate with Thompson, either due to technical difficulties or the challenges faced by Moore in his panicked state as he tried to find his way. As Thompson tried to confirm Moore’s altitude, he next heard a chilling transmission: “I need some help, man. I’m afraid. Help me.” Thompson tried to reach Moore to get him to repeat what he said and calm him down. Instead, Moore made a garbled transmission that Thompson sought to have him clarify, only to be met by more silence. Fortunately, a United Parcel Service pilot, listening on the same frequency, understood Moore and relayed to Thompson that the Cessna pilot needed a heading and was looking for some help. Thompson then began the process – about 15 minutes long – of trying to help Moore find his way to Clark County Airport. Thompson’s voice was a calming effect, staying cool and steady. By this point, Buckner had coordinated to get all other aircraft off of Thompson’s frequency so that he could focus his attention and energies solely on Moore’s situation. It wasn’t just directional problems that Moore was battling. Moore said that he came close to stalling his Cessna. Thompson asked Moore if he was at 900 feet, as shown by radar. He was. Thompson then asked Moore to try and climb to 2,000 feet. A few minutes later, Moore had descended back down to about 1,200 feet. Thompson asked if he could climb up a bit, but Moore said he was afraid to stall, so he stayed at that altitude. Thompson then asked Moore if he preferred to land at Bowman Field, in Louisville, or Clark County Airport. Replied Moore: “Clark County. I want to get back home.” Thompson assured Moore with his words and his information. “They’re going to turn the lights up all the way for you. The airport is at your 12 o’clock and a half a mile.” Finally, Moore saw the airport and landed safely. Once on the ground, he was deeply appreciative to Thompson and the facility for saving him, saying, “I appreciate the help. Have a good holiday.” “Sir, you too,” came the reply from Thompson. Said Louisville Tower NATCA Facility Representative Jeff Gilde: “Barry’s professionalism in this very tense situation was above and beyond the call of duty. He saved this pilot’s life.” Honorable Mentions Jerry Clarke, Gulfport Tower Shawn Clarke, Gulfport Tower Beverly Jones, Louisville Standiford Tower George Martin, Gulfport Tower Cathy Whitney, Gulfport Tower “I am thrilled and honored to salute Barry Thompson as our region's co-winner of this year's Archie League Medal of Safety. I cannot think of a more deserving candidate. This honor is a wonderful tribute to a highly skilled and talented veteran controller and also a dedicated NATCA member. Barry is a charter member of NATCA. Before moving to Louisville, he worked at Mobile, Ala., Tower and served as the facility's secretary, treasurer and also vice president from 1993 to 1995. At Louisville Standiford Tower, Barry served as the local's vice president from 2000 to 2002. Barry's performance on Dec. 1 was outstanding in every way. Very few situations are as challenging for a controller as a lost pilot. And this individual was in a state of panic, to say the least. He was scared and needed help fast. Barry threw this man a lifeline and saved the day by keeping his cool, exhibiting professionalism and patience as the transmissions came back garbled and staggered at times and providing life-saving guidance for the pilot to find his way back home to the safety of his airport.” - Andy Cantwell, Southern Regional Vice President |