SIUav8er
Narcosis
OK, heres what happened: Took off on an IFR clearance out of EMT in southern california. 5 minutes later i lost my alternator (tried to fix it for few minutes, but nothing...I was running on the battery). Anyway, I told approach that I needed to return to EMT due to "electrical system PROBLEM".
That was fine. The controler asked what my intentions were and seeing a hole in th overcast, I canceled IFR, shot down beneath the clouds and flew back to the airport VFR. Contacted the tower at the normal VFR reporting point, was claed to land just like normal. No special/priority handling by ATC. As I roll off the runway, i noticed the parade of fire trucks and ambulances all waiting for me and when I contacted ground control they asked if anyone on board was hurt or needed help. Thats when i realized something was up. Turns out that the tower controller declared an emergency for me.
Luckilly i was on a Tower enroute IFR clearence so they didnt have my name. I dont want this type of thing asociated with my flight record etc.
My question is WHY did the controller feel the need to make that descision for me when there was nothing close to an emergency situation? Since when is returning to the airport for a relatively mundane mechanical problem an emergency requiring multiple fire trucks and rescue personell? Especially when me, as pilot in command, didnt even hint that I needed any type of help!
That was fine. The controler asked what my intentions were and seeing a hole in th overcast, I canceled IFR, shot down beneath the clouds and flew back to the airport VFR. Contacted the tower at the normal VFR reporting point, was claed to land just like normal. No special/priority handling by ATC. As I roll off the runway, i noticed the parade of fire trucks and ambulances all waiting for me and when I contacted ground control they asked if anyone on board was hurt or needed help. Thats when i realized something was up. Turns out that the tower controller declared an emergency for me.
Luckilly i was on a Tower enroute IFR clearence so they didnt have my name. I dont want this type of thing asociated with my flight record etc.
My question is WHY did the controller feel the need to make that descision for me when there was nothing close to an emergency situation? Since when is returning to the airport for a relatively mundane mechanical problem an emergency requiring multiple fire trucks and rescue personell? Especially when me, as pilot in command, didnt even hint that I needed any type of help!