OK --- things in Threes (3)....

Hopefully this United 497 event closes the loop on the latest series of aricraft incidents. In the audio you can hear ATC offer to provide a "no gyro" approach. From the visit to NorCal it is my understanding that this is when ATC tells the pilot when to start turning and when to stop turning... used in cases where the pilot has no instruments or is in such a bad situation that they can't effectively use the instruments on the plane. Pretty amazing that they made it back to the airport with no injuries. More details at: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/united_airlines_pilot_airport.html Transcript of the ATC conversation:

7:07:00 United Airlines 497: Clear for takeoff Runway 19, thank you very much.
7:11:35 UA 497: We need to vector back to the airport, we got a smoke issue with the airplane.
7:11:43 N.O. approach controller: Turn right 030 (degrees) and maintain 4,000 (feet).
7:11:51 UA 497: 030 4,000. And we'd like the longest runway, please.
7:12:23 N.O. approach: There are men and equipment on the runway -- they're going to try to get them off now. Descend at pilot's discretion. Maintain 2,000.
7:12:31 UA 497: We are declaring an emergency, and please roll equipment for our landing please.
7:12:57 N.O. approach: We are unable (to clear Runway) 10, can you take (Runway) 19? 7:13:00 UA 497: ... no ...
7:13:06 N.O. approach: Roger, we are clearing the runway now.
7:13:26 Airport operations: How much time do we have?
7:13:30 New Orleans tower: I'd say they are about 11 miles to the west.
7:13:39 Airport operations: Tower, we can start trying to pull them off, but I don't think we will get them all off in time.
7:14:00 N.O. approach: United 497, say souls on board and fuel remaining.
7:14:05 UA 497: 106 souls on board, fuel remaining 32,400 pounds.
7:14:16 N.O. approach: They are still trying to get all the vehicles off the runway and 19 is still available if you like ...
7:14:24 New Orleans tower: ... working as fast as they can (unintelligible). There is a bunch of equipment on there. They're trying to get it off now. 7:14:32 UA 497: You need to clear it for us.
7:14:35 New Orleans tower: I understand, sir. We're getting them off as fast as we can.
7:15:02 N.O. approach: Turn right heading 140, main 2,000 ... cleared ILS (instrument landing system) Runway 10 approach.
7:15:17 New Orleans tower: Can you verify the vehicles are exiting?
7:15:21 Airport operations: We are attempting to get the vehicles off right now. I'm removing the cones also.
7:15:27 New Orleans tower: OK, 'cause I haven't seen any of the vehicles move and the aircraft is 10 to the northwest and they have to have Runway 100.
7:15:40 N.O. approach: United 497, Turn right heading 180.
7:15:49 UA 497: um ... We only have one ... um ... (Alarms sounding in background.) 7:15:56 N.O. approach: United 497 say again sir?
7:16:04 New Orleans tower: We need three minutes to get the runway clear.
7:16:10 UA 497: (alarms blaring) We've lost all our instruments right now and we're going to need (radar directions to the airport).
7:16:33 N.O. approach: United turn left heading, 20 degrees left.
7:16:43 N.O. approach: Just continue left turn. I'll tell you when to stop.
7:16:54 UA 497: (unintelligible) What vector are we from the airport?
7:17:01 N.O. approach: Right now, sir, you are on the 330 degree heading from the airport. Northwest of the airport for Runway 19er. If you continue on this present heading, you'll set up on the shoreline for 19.
7:17:05 UA 497: Shoreline for 19.
7:17:07 N.O. approach: I can set you up there or I can vector you, what'd you need?
7:17:12 UA 497: That's fine.
7:17:13 N.O. approach: (unintelligible ... )You got the water, right?
7:17:16 UA 497: Yeah, we got the water, and we're going to stop here about 600 feet. 7:17:17 N.O. approach: Roger that. The airport's currently at your 1 o'clock and 5 miles.
7:17:20 UA 497: 1 o'clock and 5 miles, roger.
7:17:52 New Orleans tower to fire crews: Fox-6, next arrival Runway 19er is our aircraft. And the aircraft is approximately 3 miles northwest runway 19er.
7:17:57 N.O. approach: If you start your right turn now, I can set you up on final. 7:18:02 UA 497: Start turn on final.
7:18:30 New Orleans tower to fire crews: The aircraft is over the shoreline around 2 miles out. You do have permission to proceed on to the runway after he lands.
7:18:40 N.O. approach: Make a right turn. The airport is off to your right side.
7:18:47 N.O. approach: 497, clear to land 19er. You'll be able to make it, sir? Winds 180 at 16, gusts to 20, Clear to land. Runway 19er.
7:19:36 New Orleans tower to fire trucks: Fox-5, this is our aircraft touching down now.
7:19:45 New Orleans tower to fire trucks: Follow the aircraft down the runway.
7:20:10 New Orleans tower: We're going to need Runway 10 operational. Runway 19er is fouled at this time.
7:20:19 Fox-5 (NOFD): The aircraft is off the runway. Times are approximate.