3 ms·
Not an airline pilot, but I am a private pilot. Yes, I think it's normal to ask for more information while complying with instructions from ATC, [their] worklo
by pc86 5y ago
Not an airline pilot, but I am a private pilot.
Yes, I think it's normal to ask for more information while complying with instructions from ATC, [their] workload permitting. And you're required to comply with ATC instructions except in an emergency (doesn't necessarily have to be declared).
- cperciva 5y agoWould "being told you have a bomb on board" qualify as an emergency in this sense?
- g_p 5y agoIt would seem so, as that would be a situation which threatens the safety of the aircraft, which is a pretty good definition of an emergency. I've not gone through the detail yet, but depending on altitude of the aircraft at the time of the alert, and its speed, continuing onward to Lithuania may have made more sense for the crew - if they were at or near cruising altitude, you're talking about (say) 100 nm of lateral distance to execute the descent (for a normal descent profile). Under normal circumstances, you would be unlikely to want to divert to a new airport for this emergency landing, unless there was an issue like poor visibility or very limited emergency services at your destination - since diverting would likely require new descent and approach calculation and routing and briefing.
- FabHK 5y agoYou’re required to follow ATC instruction, yes, but usually in order to avoid other traffic and sequencing, not anything more. I mean, as a driver you’re required to obey traffic lights, but they would not normally impose a destination on you.
- pc86 5y agoIn Belarus that may be the case (I seriously doubt it though), but it is not the case in the US. You are required to comply with all ATC instructions. 14 CFR 91.123(b) - https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.123 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.123