When Ya Gotta Deviate

The King Air was descending out of 15,000 feet when he checked in with me. My radar scope was already peppered with growing blue and green areas of moderate and heavy precipitation, and I was buckling down for what was sure to be a crazy session. Storm season was here with a vengeance.

tkarmer

Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Air traffic controllers are crucial in helping pilots deviate around weather, including conditions like turbulence not visible on radar scopes, and prioritize pilot safety.
Approving pilot deviations often requires complex coordination between different ATC sectors and facilities due to airspace boundaries and specific Letters of Agreement (LOAs).
Controllers must balance individual deviation requests with the overall traffic flow and safety, sometimes offering alternative solutions to avoid conflicts with other aircraft.
Effective communication, using both standard phraseology and plain English, is essential, and pilots retain the right to deviate in emergencies, provided they notify ATC as soon as possible.

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“We’ve got some buildups ahead,” the King Air said. “We’re going to need to deviate right.” My scope showed nothing in his path, but, then again, our radars only show precipitation. Rain. Snow. Hail. We don’t depict clouds, turbulence, or wind shear. There was something developing in his path, and he wasn’t liking it. Whether I could see it or not was irrelevant. He needed a turn.