It was shaping up to be a normal workday for air traffic controller Kate Lindsey, when she took a distressed call from a trainee pilot flying solo about 20 nautical miles northwest of Dunedin Airport in June. The pilot said "something is wrong" before her panic escalated and she couldn’t breathe. In the end, with gentle guidance, the landing was amazing. Lindsey, who had been an air traffic controller for 14 years, said while she had training in types of emergencies “this was an extremely distressed pilot beyond anything I had experienced”. “I have certainly had my fair share of emergencies over the years, almost all of them coming without warning, from smoke in the cockpit to runway excursions. This is one that won't be forgotten in a hurry.” Her work was recently recognised by Airways NZ, with Lindsey nominated for an Airways Values Award and won the 'Safety First' category, “which I am very grateful for and proud of”. 🔗 Read more: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360488708/cant-do-anything-pilot-who-panicked-her-first-solo-flight-talked-down-controller
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