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PA28 pilot reported that a tower controller that berates pilots over the radio.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1450663 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201705 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Instructor Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 1100 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Reported inbound to ZZZ with a student on board. Controller was having a meltdown over the frequency speaking with another aircraft. The same controller issued an incorrect clearance to the same aircraft and acknowledged that he had made an error over the frequency; continuing his meltdown over the frequency; with other aircraft; as well. The controller issued a clearance to us; to report a right downwind for runway xx. We acknowledged the clearance; then asked if he wanted us to report over the lake; as well. He went ballistic; starting yelling over the frequency and said that he had asked us to report a right downwind for runway xx. I responded that he shouldn't yell over the frequency. On many occasions; this same controller would issue a clearance to report a right downwind for runway 'X' and we would follow the clearance and report a right downwind for runway 'xx'. Once there he would make this same mistake on repeated occasions and yell over the frequency and say why we didn't report over the lake when he never made such a request. By requesting confirmation that he wanted us to report the lake or not; was actually helping him. Again; he responded to this assistance with an inappropriate outburst. The lake is used at ZZZ as a reporting point prior to entering right downwind for runway xx or; a left base for runway yy. This same controller also made a mistake on a taxi clearance once we had exited the runway; even after two attempts of correcting his error. This controller is a danger to aviation. He has frequent outbursts and regular meltdowns over the frequency. Aside from the mistakes; which isn't the main issue; his conduct violates acceptable use of the air traffic frequency. Not only is his conduct inappropriate; but he is a danger to aviation. A controller as is the case of this individual; does not belong in the tower. He is an accident waiting to happen.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: PA28 pilot reported that a Tower Controller that berates pilots over the radio.
Narrative: Reported inbound to ZZZ with a student on board. Controller was having a meltdown over the frequency speaking with another aircraft. The same controller issued an incorrect clearance to the same aircraft and acknowledged that he had made an error over the frequency; continuing his meltdown over the frequency; with other aircraft; as well. The Controller issued a clearance to us; to report a right downwind for Runway XX. We acknowledged the clearance; then asked if he wanted us to report over the lake; as well. He went ballistic; starting yelling over the frequency and said that he had asked us to report a right downwind for Runway XX. I responded that he shouldn't yell over the frequency. On many occasions; this same controller would issue a clearance to report a right downwind for Runway 'X' and we would follow the clearance and report a right downwind for Runway 'XX'. Once there he would make this same mistake on repeated occasions and yell over the frequency and say why we didn't report over the lake when he never made such a request. By requesting confirmation that he wanted us to report the lake or not; was actually helping him. Again; he responded to this assistance with an inappropriate outburst. The lake is used at ZZZ as a reporting point prior to entering right downwind for Runway XX or; a left base for Runway YY. This same controller also made a mistake on a taxi clearance once we had exited the runway; even after two attempts of correcting his error. This controller is a danger to Aviation. He has frequent outbursts and regular meltdowns over the frequency. Aside from the mistakes; which isn't the main issue; his conduct violates acceptable use of the air traffic frequency. Not only is his conduct inappropriate; but he is a danger to aviation. A controller as is the case of this individual; does not belong in the tower. He is an accident waiting to happen.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.