Matt Tschida, Mikkel Deaton – Northeast Area – June 2021

On June 26, 2021, Matt Tschida was working the KUBBS Radar position with Mikkel Deaton at the Radar Associate position. There was a significant band of convective weather with areas of heavy precipitation, primarily concentrated in northwest Indiana. Chicago Approach Control (C90) halted arrivals until the storm moved further east. The Southeast Area re-routed O’Hare (KORD) arrivals into South Bend (SBN) Approach Control airspace to hold until the arrival cleared. As the storms progressed east into SBN airspace, the aircraft were unable to remain in their current holding patterns, causing a need for SBN to move the aircraft. The SBN controller contacted Matt, explained that they were running out of airspace, and asked to move the aircraft into KUBBS airspace. Matt accepted all ten aircraft on northbound headings with vertical separation, issuing proper routing, speeds, and establishing precise in-trail spacing. He provided exceptional service to all aircraft. Mikkel ensured correct entry of all the flight plan routing amendments and engaged in complete coordination with C90 and SBN. After all the aircraft had safely entered C90 airspace, the SBN and C90 controllers called the KUBBS sector with compliments and gratitude.

Excellent team spirit on Matt and Mikkel’s part allowed a fellow controller in need of assistance to move these ten aircraft away from the thunderstorms and to a more timely arrival at their destination. Well done, Matt and Mikkel! 

Matt is the first controller at ZAU to receive Props twice!