GW
So it sounds like that all went according to plan, actually?
Accept that the experience of not having a plan or feeling in control scared him so much that he packed it in (( and I did know the guy and did try to dissuade him.
Getting ATC to help was a valid decision but its whats in someones mind and the fact that he no longer felt that he was in control ( although he was ) panicked him. I think by the time he had contacted ATC He was already panicked and that state lasted all the way to touchdown (sadly)
so what I am saying is you need to be bullet proof all round know your weaknesses and strengths and be aware and work on the weaker sides of your flying we all have them
Pace