Random Thoughts of an Old Writer by Robert Vaughan

Author:Robert Vaughan [Vaughan, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781647345525
Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
Published: 2021-04-20T22:00:00+00:00

Earning the Bird

GCA—ground controlled approach—is a system whereby a radar operator on the ground can talk a pilot down through near zero visibility. During the Berlin Airlift it was used extensively and no doubt saved a lot of lives. It was also used throughout military, commercial, and general aviation. With today’s ILS and such systems, GCA is no longer used, but when I was in Germany it was still in effect. Though I never had to actually use GCA, we’d sometimes get a request from the ground asking if you would accept a practice GCA.

One day I was approaching Fulda and called the tower: “Fulda Tower, Army 715, downwind for 27.”

“Army 715, call base.”

“715, turning base.”

“715, will you accept a practice GCA?”

“Affirmative.”

I waited a second, then a female voice came on. “Army 715, GCA, squawk your parrot.”

I activated the transponder, which sent out a signal so they could identify me.

“I have you, 715.”

“715,” I replied.

“Do not acknowledge any further transmissions, 715. Please establish a 500-foot-per-minute rate of descent.”

I did so.

“Come left, zero five degrees.”

I did.

“You are on course, on glide path, your approach is good. Maintain vector 27 and 500 feet per minute rate of descent. . . . On course, on glide path, your approach is good.”

This continued for another couple of transmissions. Then I stopped, came to a hover, and started backing up.

“You are on course on glide . . . uh . . . on course . . . uh . . .”

She stopped transmitting, then a moment later I heard her panicked voice. “Sergeant Johnson, Sergeant Johnson!”

Next was a male voice. “Army 715, are you helicopter?”

“Affirmative.”

“Discontinue GCA, land at pilot’s discretion.”

“715.”

After completing the approach, I hovered by the tower to the helipad. I saw an angry young WAC (as we called them then) standing in the window. She “saluted” me . . . but it was NOT the kind of salute you would exchange in polite company, bless her heart.

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