Boston Center (ZBW) Controllers Honored with ATCA’s Andy Pitas Aircraft Save Award

During ATCA Connect 2024, Boston Center (ZBW) members Scott Elms and Rosilla Owen were honored with the Andy Pitas Aircraft Save Award.

Elms and Owen assisted a Cessna 310 pilot who was suffering from hypoxia during an aerial photography mission. Owen was able to talk the pilot through a descent from 13,500 feet to 9,000 feet, which remedied his condition. After the pilot recovered, he told the controllers that although he had been wearing an oxygen mask, there was a kink in the line, so oxygen was not flowing properly, and thanked them for their vigilance and assistance.

Owen and Elms were unable to attend ATCA Connect, so NATCA President Nick Daniels accepted the award on behalf of Rosilla Owen and Scott Elms. In December, NATCA New England RVP Kevin Curtiss had the honor of presenting them with their award.

Read more about their story on Medium.