RAPCON: ‘Thank you for calling’ Published July 25, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 305th Operations Support Squadron Radar, Approach and Control members guided a civilian aircraft to a safe landing using cell phone communication after the aircraft's pilot lost navigation and radio capabilities July 8, 2013, here. Phil Schirmer, Trenton-Robbinsville Airport Flight School instruments, single-engine aircraft and multi-engine aircraft instructor, was only able to utilize a cell and a tablet device to communicate with RAPCON members who safely guided him to the Capitol City Airport in Harrisburg, Pa. The RAPCON swing-shift crew members had barely begun their shifts at 8 p.m. when they got a phone call from the civilian pilot. The pilot and a student he was instructing were headed for Trenton-Robbinsville Airport in Robbinsville, N.J., in a Piper Cherokee PA-28-180 when the aircraft's navigation and communications failed. Weather conditions challenged the pilot's visibility. "The aircraft's alternator failed, which killed the battery and left us without power," said Schirmer. "My main concern was landing since the magneto-powered engines wouldn't fail due to the alternator." Schirmer and Staff Sgt. Christopher Schimmel, RAPCON air traffic controller, worked together to troubleshoot the aircraft before planning the pilot's approach to Capitol City Airport. The pilot was left to nothing but what he could see from the plane and the GPS on his tablet. The aircraft could not properly "squawk," or relay information, including altitude, speed and direction without its electronic systems, to RAPCON. Schimmel, who is also a civilian pilot, assisted Schirmer with specific help and reassurance. "I talked to the pilot for 10 to 15 minutes before landing to ensure a safe approach and plan for an emergency landing if it became necessary," said Schimmel. "I stayed on the phone with him to comfort him. We talked about life, service and had general conversations until I could sense he was calming down." The air traffic controllers contacted the tower at Capitol City Airport and filled them in on the situation at hand. "We wanted him to land as soon as possible at an airport with a tower so he would not be stranded when he arrived," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Dick, RAPCON air traffic controller. "We began coordinating with that tower by relaying information from Schirmer to us and then to the tower. The only way the tower was able to communicate with the pilot was with light signals." The tower shined a green light beam to signal that the incoming aircraft was clear for approach. "We stayed on the phone after he had landed to relay taxi and parking instructions to the pilot since he still could not communicate with tower personnel," said Schimmel. Schirmer called and emailed the controllers after the ordeal to let them know everything was okay and to thank them for their assistance. "I deal with emergencies regularly here, but I have never experienced any situation like this," said Dick. "It was part air traffic controller skill, part pilot expertise from Schimmel and part luck that we were able to get him in safely. Everything seems to come together well in the end." The situation happened during the controllers' first inspection day and helped prove to the inspectors they are fully capable. "The RAPCON guys were awesome and helpful," said Schirmer. "I'm glad I had the presence of mind to call the RAPCON, but I owe it to them for the safe landing. I could hear the teamwork in motion over the phone. I never want to see a solid green light after experiencing that."