Short version:
- Controller calling me with wrong call sign
- I assumed radio call for other local traffic
- Took me a while to realize he is speaking to me
- Controller blames me for compromising safety
- Controller threatens to write a report about me
- Me rather confused now and sleepless at night
Long version:
Ferried a N-registered helicopter from the mid of Germany into an airport in Switzerland the first time yesterday. At my final destination, everything started normal, until the controller started to call me with the wrong two letter abbreviated call sign using letters that are not part of my call sign.
When communication still worked he told me to descend 1800 feet and report left base. He also informed me of opposite traffic, as a fixed wing just took off the runway and climbed out approx. 500 feet above me.
I don't know if he started using the wrong call sign before I reported left base or afterwards. He might have been talking to me before reporting left base, but I didn't get it since it was obviously not for me.
After reporting left base, his call "to the other traffic" was something like "AB, hold your position, opposite landing traffic", and I thought he is informing some local traffic about my approach. I still didn't realize that this communication was for me, so I ignored the radio call and turned final as it was about time to do so. Radio went silent for a bit.
Again, controller used the wrong call sign and informed "the other local traffic" about the opposite traffic. I didn't react and continued on final, basically looking at the runway numbers and the taxiway next to them that would lead me directly to the customs clearance parking lot which I requested on my initial call.
At this point, the controller called me again using the wrong call sign, and asked if I could hear him as he called me several times. Only now I realized that he was talking to me all the time, and replied to him telling him about the different call sign and apologized for not realizing he is talking to me.
He replied with "DO NOT USE THE RUNWAY LEFT TURN NOW", which basically is a short cut from my position on short final to the customs clearance spots directly in front of the tower.
Just to make sure, I slowed down once clear of the runway and asked him where exactly he wanted me to go. He said something like "the gas pump is right in front of you, just move 10m forward". I replied that I didn't request the gas pump, but well, I could also refuel first if that was easier and since I am already here, and then proceed to customs clearance after that. He replied once more, that customs clearance is next to the gas pump anyway, and I went on to set down 10m forward just next to the gas pump and shut the helicopter down. While line service refueled, I went on to take care of customs clearance paperwork.
Once that was finished, I received a call from the controller upstairs who told me my approach was absolutely sub-standard and he would have to write a report about me. No mention of calling me with the wrong call sign. Still a bit surprised about everything I apologized and mentioned the wrong call sign, and he said that he would have the recording anyway. You can picture the question marks above my head
at that time. I asked him if he wants me to do anything or not, and he just said he would write a report and "then we'll see".
He said I compromised the safety multiple times. He also blamed me for flying to the gas pump, he said I should have shut down at a heli pad and then pushed it over.
I still had to fly the helicopter to a hangar on the other end of the airport, so I made sure I request all my movements and engine start the proper way and with the correct full call sign, and then followed a car to the final home of the new helo. After delivering the helicopter to the hangar and thinking about it for a while, I just thought to myself that can't be it. I went back to the customs clearance office and called him in the tower and wanted to speak about this "misunderstanding" once more. Seems he calmed down in the meantime, and said he'll shred the report paper that he apparently had already written. He said he would like to start over again and wished me a nice Sunday. But still not mention of a little error on his side, while I of course apologized again. I don't want to blame him or say I am 100% innocent, it all just felt a little bit strange to me. That's why I am writing here.
I don't know what happened that day and what on earth we both did to deserve such a problem on a nice sunny Sunday noon. It was my first touch down in Switzerland, and I have been warned, but I didn't expect such a nice welcome celebration
Does anybody know if it is possible to get the recording without lots of trouble and if I should be worried or just forget about the issue? The recording would definitely help to understand the situation a bit better. Heck, I didn't even see that "opposite traffic" he was talking about and to my best knowledge I didn't see anybody landing after me. But then again, I was with my back to the runway busy shutting down and organizing refuel and paperwork.