Gene (and others too)

Not being an instructor but a 42 year Pvt Instrument (no longer current
by a long ways) -

In biennials, in your opinions, what fraction of the experienced (say
over 10 years experience) pvt-onlys are instrument competent (not
necessarily legal) when confronted by a sudden loss of visibility?

It has really bugged me that Kennedy, who I understand was nearly
complete with his instrument rating, couldn't even make the transition
in a slowly deteriorating situation. I know another case some years
ago of a fellow that was working on an instrument that also lost a
Mooney and three other guys in a similar situation with ground fog and
a night departure, and 5 hours of fuel on board.

For that matter - what fraction of experienced instrument people could
make that same rapid transistion to the gages?

I would have thought that 25 years of experience would have at least
keyed this grandma into expecting something difficult. That's why I
would want to withhold judgement.

There is a journalistic attitude that attempts to simply blame pilots
(the tsk! tsk! type comments suggesting I wouldn't do that) rather than
search for the process where they get schnookered (sp?) into a stupid
situation.
I too hope Cessna doesn't get sued. I appreciate your thoughts. THX