Bloody Sunday - controller using wrong call sign
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Bloody Sunday - controller using wrong call sign
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.
- 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.
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DON'T WORRY; it sounds as if it's the controller who should be worried. He should not have made allegations against you on the R/T. Make sure you write down everything you can remember about the incident and submit a report to the authorities at that ATC Unit. Everything is on tape and if you are right you have nothing to fear. No dangerous "incident" occurred so the matter probably would not be officially investigated but local ATC management should look into the matter and talk to the controller and advise you of the results.
The Cooler King
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Mud-slinging on the RT.
When will that lesson ever be fully learned.
Callsign mixups can quickly become a safety issue. However, as it nearly always the case - you are both at fault to a degree. Controller for mixing up callsigns and a lack of SA on your part for not picking it up sooner.
Very easy for me to say that from the comfort of Starbucks, miles away in the Middle East however
I definitely wouldn't lose any sleep over getting into trouble over it. As HD says, write as much down about it as you can and be very neutral with it. Stick to the situational facts and leave personalities out of it.
It amazes me how much time and effort that some people will put into blame and face-saving operations in this business.
Safe skies, folks and for what it's worth.....try coming over here and being called five or six different names per sector
When will that lesson ever be fully learned.
Callsign mixups can quickly become a safety issue. However, as it nearly always the case - you are both at fault to a degree. Controller for mixing up callsigns and a lack of SA on your part for not picking it up sooner.
Very easy for me to say that from the comfort of Starbucks, miles away in the Middle East however
I definitely wouldn't lose any sleep over getting into trouble over it. As HD says, write as much down about it as you can and be very neutral with it. Stick to the situational facts and leave personalities out of it.
It amazes me how much time and effort that some people will put into blame and face-saving operations in this business.
Safe skies, folks and for what it's worth.....try coming over here and being called five or six different names per sector
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RWY101, if the controller was trying to call you with an incorrect call sign and you were, naturally, not responding, the controller would not have had any responses to his calls and should have figured either he had the incorrect call sign or you had a radio problem. Either way, he should have made different attempts of contacting you (ie "blue and white helicopter disrupting my airport on left base please identify yourself"...)
Likewise, if your call sign is AB1037 and he's trying to call someone with HP1037 with no luck, maybe a little intervention on your part might have been prudent.
Sounds to me like you and the controller had a dose of "experience". You both have probably gone over in your minds what you would do if this were to happen again in the future. Lesson learnt, move forward.
Sleep tight.
Likewise, if your call sign is AB1037 and he's trying to call someone with HP1037 with no luck, maybe a little intervention on your part might have been prudent.
Sounds to me like you and the controller had a dose of "experience". You both have probably gone over in your minds what you would do if this were to happen again in the future. Lesson learnt, move forward.
Sleep tight.
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RWY 101
"the shue" sums it up nicely. Nothing to worry about on your part, we have lots of options available to us in the towers, A/C type, color, position in the circuit is always an easy one if you suspect an incorrect callsign has been used.
If that fails then we should assume the A/C has lost comms, re-arrange the CCT traffic accordingly and use light signals to get the guy on the ground.
Again, if a controller is using a similar callsign, just confirm that they arent talking to you, correct them nicely.
Sounds like the controller dropped the ball on this one.
"the shue" sums it up nicely. Nothing to worry about on your part, we have lots of options available to us in the towers, A/C type, color, position in the circuit is always an easy one if you suspect an incorrect callsign has been used.
If that fails then we should assume the A/C has lost comms, re-arrange the CCT traffic accordingly and use light signals to get the guy on the ground.
Again, if a controller is using a similar callsign, just confirm that they arent talking to you, correct them nicely.
Sounds like the controller dropped the ball on this one.
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Yes, we have all sorts of tricks available... a controller at Heathrow, who later reached senior management position, once said on Ground Control: "The Trident in front of the Vanguard, what's your callsign?"
