Unstable approaches at major air show fly in.

Hi 30west - you are not being realistic. Journalism, even the formerly responsible, credible aviation press - has evolved. People - not just today's journalists, have always had a need to socialize, to be "accepted"...to sound important.

Of course you are right...we who sit up in front do not "ask permission", especially when there is any kind of problem.

I am sure Aviaiton Week still has journalists on staff who are involved with flight operations, & know what they are talking about. Obviously, the clown who wrote that article is a "flyer" / "aviation enthusiast" type....but so what !

In my 55+ years of punching holes thru clouds, I have found the overwhelming majority of ATC seriously interested in helping, especially when you have to deviate from some instruction, or change things.

As for the incredibly tiny minority of ATC who think they are in charge, and get 'smart' with us when we do have to make a change of some kind....I simply ask them if they want me to "declare an emergency". Without fail that snaps them back to reality..gets their immed. cooperation - they don't want mounds of paper-work any more than we do.

On the VERY rare occasions that I have sensed the start of an argument with ATC, I have asked them if they want me to declare an emergency. That, without fail, gets their cooperation - they don't want the extra paper-work any more than I do.

As the old saying goes....not very often that an aviator causes an ATC "in route" facility, Approach Controller, or Tower operator to crash....

for Mr. Jensen - Aug 3 2016 @ 11:22 MST

Of course it is not "news"..it is modern journalism....enjoy the entertainment - that's all journalism is these days