Dan Klimowski 

Southwest Area – April 2022

N610GG is a Citation 501 SP and was northeast-bound, receiving VFR flight following in Mr. Klimowski’s airspace.  The flight plan destination was LAN (Lansing, MI).  The pilot expressed concern about the weather to their left and near their destination. Dan noticed that the aircraft was considerably off course and queried the pilot. The pilot stated that the aircraft’s destination was actually IGQ (Lansing, IL), not LAN.

At this time, Dan noticed that the IGQ airport was below minimums for VFR operations due to a thunderstorm overhead.  Dan searched for airports in the vicinity that reported VFR conditions and suggested the pilot divert to VPZ (Valparaiso, IN).  N610GG diverted and landed safely in Valparaiso. Dan’s thoroughness and alertness drew his attention to this aircraft significantly off expected course and looking for a suitably VFR airport. Excellent work, Dan!