Calm Voice Saves Three

At an awards banquet earlier this week, the National Air Traffic Controller Association (NATCA) presented the "Presidents Award" to Ken Hopf this week for his life saving actions on August 9th of 2004. Hopf is a pilot, a flight instructor and an air traffic controller who started his career in the Air Force.

NATCA President John Carr presented the NATCA "President's Award" to Hopf, who had earlier in the evening been presented the New England Region's "Archie League Medal of Safety" award.

On August 9th, when a distressed passenger of a 1988 Piper Malibu called for help, Hopf went into action right away to calm her and find out what was happening on the aircraft. The pilot, her father, was not responding, and she had never flown a Malibu before. The aircraft had just taken off from Laconia Airport in central New Hampshire. After her mother also became unresponsive, Hopf asked her to open some vents in case carbon monoxide poisoning was an issue.

His calm voice and manner helped her return to the airport and make a safe landing to meet the fire department and ambulance.

"This was an incredibly dramatic event. It was Hopf's calm voice that had an immediate effect on the person at the controls and she was better able to focus on piloting the complex aircraft despite the traumatic circumstances," Carr said. "When you meet Ken, you immediately understand why he is not only a deserving, but likable honoree. A calming nature, engaging personality and infectious sense of humor help to ease co-workers and pilots alike. We are very honored to present him with this award for an absolutely outstanding and heroic save."

AOPA President Phil Boyer attended the presentation to congratulate Hopf, an AOPA member.

"Hopf was able to make this remarkable flight save because of his experience as a pilot and a controller," Boyer said. "Controllers like Hopf help pilots get from destination to destination every day without incident."

FMI: www.natca.org