Narrative:

Aircraft X was in the traffic pattern for runway 30L; was extended upwind and told tower would call crosswind turn to accommodate aircraft Z [a vintage warbird] performing the overhead maneuver on same runway behind them. Aircraft Y was following aircraft X and was told to extend upwind to follow that traffic. Aircraft X was observed approximate 3NM southwest of the field and questioned whether they were staying in pattern or departing area. Aircraft X responded that they were on the crosswind awaiting for me to instruct downwind turn. I then instructed them to make a right 180 degree turn to rejoin left downwind and issued traffic to follow that would be just south of the VOR. Aircraft X repeated instructions. Aircraft Y was sequenced number one for runway 30L and issued touch and go clearance.aircraft X was observed via radar close to downwind; was told to enter downwind and issued number 2 sequence behind the traffic downwind to base and cleared runway 30L touch and go. Aircraft X repeated all instructions; including clearance to Runway30L. Other calls were made when I noticed aircraft Y stopped midfield on the runway; I recognized that aircraft X may have to go around and began a visual scan to locate them; they should have been on final at this time. I could not locate them on final and at that time; aircraft X reported 'going around'. I scanned from the approach end of runway 30L then towards the departure end and I saw aircraft X opposite direction approximately 100 ft AGL over the aircraft Y on the runway. Aircraft Y was stopped; not because of an issue with their aircraft; but they saw the opposite direction traffic approaching and they pulled off to the side to try to accommodate. Aircraft X was issued further instructions to sequence for the appropriate runway. No further issues came from this event. When questioned aircraft X said there was a lot of 'radio chatter' and he got confused; there was no instructor on board at the time.recommendation: maintain awareness of all areas; when a pilot is not doing what they were instructed to begin with they should require more attention. Keep a good scan and when you notice something is not looking/feeling right solicit help from other tower team members.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BJC Tower Controller reported that after issuing instructions to an aircraft on pattern traffic and receiving the correct read-back instructions; the pilot aligned on final to the opposite runway.

Narrative: Aircraft X was in the traffic pattern for Runway 30L; was extended upwind and told Tower would call crosswind turn to accommodate Aircraft Z [a Vintage warbird] performing the overhead maneuver on same Runway behind them. Aircraft Y was following Aircraft X and was told to extend upwind to follow that traffic. Aircraft X was observed approximate 3NM southwest of the field and questioned whether they were staying in pattern or departing area. Aircraft X responded that they were on the crosswind awaiting for me to instruct downwind turn. I then instructed them to make a right 180 degree turn to rejoin left downwind and issued traffic to follow that would be just south of the VOR. Aircraft X repeated instructions. Aircraft Y was sequenced number one for Runway 30L and issued Touch and Go Clearance.Aircraft X was observed via radar close to downwind; was told to enter downwind and issued number 2 sequence behind the traffic downwind to base and cleared Runway 30L Touch and Go. Aircraft X repeated all instructions; including clearance to Runway30L. Other calls were made when I noticed Aircraft Y stopped midfield on the Runway; I recognized that Aircraft X may have to go around and began a visual scan to locate them; they should have been on final at this time. I could not locate them on final and at that time; Aircraft X reported 'Going Around'. I scanned from the approach end of Runway 30L then towards the departure end and I saw Aircraft X opposite direction approximately 100 FT AGL over the Aircraft Y on the Runway. Aircraft Y was stopped; not because of an issue with their aircraft; but they saw the opposite direction traffic approaching and they pulled off to the side to try to accommodate. Aircraft X was issued further instructions to sequence for the appropriate Runway. No further issues came from this event. When questioned Aircraft X said there was a lot of 'radio chatter' and he got confused; there was no instructor on board at the time.Recommendation: Maintain awareness of all areas; when a pilot is not doing what they were instructed to begin with they should require more attention. Keep a good scan and when you notice something is not looking/feeling right solicit help from other tower team members.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.