Declared for the first time today

[Fixtur]

Flying down to West Virginia fire a memorial service for my uncle.

About a half hour after a fuel stop the left engine hiccups twice and stops making power. Secure the engine, declare the emergency and get an IFR clearance and vectors for the SE approach and landing into the nearest airport.

Wrangled, by hook and crook, a rental car for the 7 hour drive back to CT. We'll deal with the airplane next week.

Fix

 

[MikeD]

A non-event as far as the declaration goes with ATC; unlike many pilots who have this severe hesitancy or even a fear of ever using the emergency word to ATC. Either needs to be dragged out of them, often too late for ATC to assist, or worse, ATC declares for them.

 

[WacoFan]

Really glad things worked out for you!

 

[Roger Roger]

Well done. As much as I miss piston flying, I don’t miss piston engines

 

[knot4u]

Were you as calm as this guy?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP7sJXtUdWY

 

[Fixtur]

Well done. As much as I miss piston flying, I don’t miss piston engines

One of my colleagues made the (mostly tongue-in-cheek) observation that this will make an excellent TMAATT when I'm interviewing next month...

 

[DropTank]

Flying down to West Virginia fire a memorial service for my uncle.

About a half hour after a fuel stop the left engine hiccups twice and stops making power. Secure the engine, declare the emergency and get an IFR clearance and vectors for the SE approach and landing into the nearest airport.

Wrangled, by hook and crook, a rental car for the 7 hour drive back to CT. We'll deal with the airplane next week.

Fix

Which airplane?

Everybody else seems to be landing on highways a lot lately.

 

[Fixtur]

Seneca.

 

[Maurus]

A non-event as far as the declaration goes with ATC; unlike many pilots who have this severe hesitancy or even a fear of ever using the emergency word to ATC. Either needs to be dragged out of them, often too late for ATC to assist, or worse, ATC declares for them.

I have declared twice so far in my career. The only drawback was the paperwork. Considering possible alternatives the paperwork is nothing. ATC is literally the easiest part of the situation and can be a great help.

 

[knot4u]

I have declared twice so far in my career. The only drawback was the paperwork. Considering possible alternatives the paperwork is nothing. ATC is literally the easiest part of the situation and can be a great help.

I'm glad you made the right choice. Paperwork is just that, paperwork, it's not the same as hauling 2 tons of ice into a self created ditch. I'm sure your family is happy, discretion is the better part of valor.

 

[DropTank]

I have declared twice so far in my career. The only drawback was the paperwork. Considering possible alternatives the paperwork is nothing. ATC is literally the easiest part of the situation and can be a great help.

Declared a lot more than 2 times and never had paperwork.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Declared a lot more than 2 times and never had paperwork.

Two for me as well. Biggest one was partial engine failure in a piston single in the clouds over the Rockies. Closest thing to paperwork for me was a friendly conversation with an ASI. ATC, however had a lot of paperwork to do.

The most paperwork I’ve seen for a pilot was a cargo jet that had a flame out. In that case, it was because the pilot didn’t declare the emergency. Ended up hiring me to defend the enforcement action for violating 91.123. That definitely involved paperwork.

 

[mwflyer]

Declared a lot more than 2 times and never had paperwork.

One declaration for me. No paperwork as well. Not even a phone call.