I’ve only once received a brasher warning… and knew I was not at fault, or at the very least, not the only one at fault. ATC issued me an altitude change, I complied and responded accordingly. Shortly after I was asked what altitude I was at and after responding, was given the possible pilot deviation and phone number. Called after landing and the controller and I determined that there was confusion between my call sign and flight number and another company aircraft with a similar flight number (small freight company). It was a perfectly friendly conversation where both parties acknowledged a confusion and understanding of how a small mistake happened on their part, of which I could have prevented or clarified. NASA report was filed on my end, and whatever ATC reports on their end. Friendly conversation with a MKE approach controller that led both of us to evaluate safety and possible ways to prevent something similar happening in the future. That’s the ultimate goal, and most controllers aren’t out there to “get” pilots when mistakes happen.

Another time, I forgot to cancel an IFR flight plan. It was early in my career, high stress single pilot landing in winter weather conditions, got distracted with unloading cargo and getting the plane squared away. I got a call a half hour after landing with an IRATE controller, informing me that an RJ had to declare minimum fuel and get priority handling due to my failure to cancel my flight plan. 100% my fault, and yet… the controller used it as an opportunity to educate and inform me of how a small mistake can affect the whole system. Even in this instance, where I was absolutely in the wrong, the controller chose not to escalate the situation, and was understanding after I explained my side and what led to my mistake. We ended the conversation with a friendly handshake over the phone and an offer to meet for a beer. (Didn’t happen but woulda been more than up for it)

Morale of the story… mistakes happen. Owning up to them and everyone learning from them is the ultimate goal of aviation, and things like NASA reports, ASAP reports, or whatever your facet of aviation uses to analyze safety, are ultimately there to make us all better. Most controllers aren’t out there to get us busted. They’d love to understand “what happened” more than they’d love to ruin a pilot’s career. Mistakes happen, make the call, talk honestly and cordially, especially if you did in fact make a mistake. You will almost always be greeted with understand and education on both ends. There are definitely outliers and exceptions to that, but in general, mistakes happen and are okay, as long as we don’t have gross negligence, which really should be called out and corrected.