My First Instrument Landing

"Army copter 23754, this is Fritsche Tower. The airfield is in Instrument conditions. What are your intentions?"

We were two lieutenants in a Huey, at the end of an afternoon training flight, and we intended to land. It didn't matter that we couldn't see the airfield, or that our total real instrument flight time was in single digits. We looked at each other, and I said, "Hey, we're instrument rated. Ask for the PAR." For you non-aviators, that's Precision Approach Radar. It means ground controllers give you verbal heading and altitude information to talk you down to a landing. We had both done it many times in the simulator, but this was the first time in real clouds?

"Fritsche Tower," Rick replied, "this is Army copter 23754 requesting the PAR."

"Roger 23754, this will be vectors to the PAR Runway 29 at Fritsche Army Airfield. Maintain 3000."

We followed instructions until we were on the final approach course to the runway. Then the controller said, "Begin descent." Rick lowered the collective, and we slipped into the gray mist. He focused on the instruments, keeping the helicopter upright and going in the right direction. I looked outside trying to peer through the fog.

Every few seconds the controller's voice sounded out, "On glideslope. On course."

"Going right of course." Rick corrected to the left.

"On glideslope. On course. Approaching decision height."

"On glideslope. At decision height."

Just in case you hadn't guessed, we needed to make a decision. At that moment, we had to commit to land or power back up into the sky. The decision depended on one thing, could I see the runway? If not, we had to go back up. I was straining to see something outside the cockpit, but there was nothing.

"Missed approach," I said. Rick pulled in the power. As soon as we started up, I saw the runway numbers flash by through the chin bubble. But it was too late to land.

"Fritsche Tower, 23754 executing missed approach," I called on the radio.

"Roger 23754. Say intentions."