Two Big Problems. No way to Communicate

Let me start by saying "Keep the frequency open, as much as possible."

Emergency One

While in my House, I heard a Comanche on 122.9 asking for anyone at Leeward for help with a Landing Gear Emergency. I responded on the radio, as did another Leeward Resident. First problem was both the other neighbor and I, seemed to have an uncanny knack, to transmit at precisely the same time, making it difficult for the Comanche to hear our response. For a while, we didn't realize we were blocking each other out, at a time when a fellow aviator, really needed some help and ideas! I finally found the other resident and we coordinated the radio from the ground, and located a local Comanche expert to help with ideas on how to get the landing gear fully extended. The big problem as ground helpers, for this event, was a lot of radio transmissions from the pilot, explaining details not really pertinent to the problem he had. This is not meant as a criticism, just a comment that we had no way to offer the advice from about five very experienced pilots nearby. Again I say, "Keep the frequency open, as much as possible." Fortunately, everything worked out fine with no damage to the Pilot or Airplane. Job well done!!!

Mayday One

Again, while in my house one morning, I think I was the only person who responded to a "MAYDAY", on 122.9 for anyone at Leeward. An aerobatic plane in the aerobatic box had a jammed aileron and was out of control. This one was really terrifying and also well handled by the very experienced pilot. He was in a slowly descending spiral, when I stepped outside, and not sure of making it to the airport. Fortunately, he was able to gain enough control of the aircraft to actually land the aircraft on our runway, to fly another day. This has to be one of the most frightening emergencies a pilot can experience, loss of flight controls. As I was trying to communicate to the pilot, he was in a "Stuck Mike" configuration, leaving me in a position of not being able to give any other thoughts or ideas. On a side note, many of us would have had the same issue, myself included! Let me say one more time "Keep the frequency open, as much as possible".

Both of these situations were, I'm sure, some of the scariest situations these pilots have ever seen, but try to give us on the ground a chance to help you by "Keep the frequency open, as much as possible". I personally am not aware of any Emergency Plans or Procedures at Leeward, so I will express a few of my thoughts, in case you are the next person to be first to the runway or nearby area to help one of our fellow aviators with an “Emergency” or “Mayday”.

1. Gather at least one more person to take with you. Heaven forbid we have to pull someone out of  a fiery wreckage, but at least 2 people are certainly better than one. Balance the time spent on this one because things may be bad at the scene!
2. Take Fire Extinguishing equipment if possible.
3. Handheld Radio tuned to the appropriate frequency.
4. Get there quickly. Take a car, or better, maybe an off road vehicle or 4 wheeler. A golf cart may be too slow for a reasonable response! Time may be of the essence!
5. A working cell phone to call 911. In commercial flying, we always just call for the equipment when we have an emergency or big problem, and worry about the paperwork later. Again time may be of the essence!
6. Give me a yell and I'll get my helicopter out for quick access to nearby properties as necessary.

These are some of my thoughts based on what I have seen recently, and I would love to hear from anyone else that can add to this list. Again, someone please tell me if there are already some procedures in place at Leeward, for these type matters, and remember to "Keep the frequency open, as much as possible". No one can help you if they can't communicate with you!

Thanks and everyone fly safe!