JFK Jr.

As I understand it, JFK Jr. was reported to be "50%" through his
instrument rating. By that point one should in theory have no
difficulty managing the conditions he encountered. But, the record
shows that when the windows went grey he did not have or could not
apply the required skills.

A grocery store clerk asked me, shortly after that accident, "Doesn't
it worry you, training people to go off and then maybe crash like
that?"

I had a simple answer: "If he'd been my student he wouldn't be dead
now and we wouldn't be having this converstation."

It really hurts me to see this kind of stuff happen; it is needless.
contrary to one of the other posters here, I am of the opinion that
light aircraft flying can be much safer than driving a car (ok I live
in LA and driving here is a lot more crazy, but still...) if you
properly manage the risk. In my car, I am at the mercy of every
testosterone-poisoned teenager who decides to weave through traffic at
120 mph. I cannot control his studpidity. In the airplane, I HAVE
CONTROL OF HOW MUCH RISK I TAKE.

When I go up to see my mom in San Jose, I feel MUCH safer when I fly
than when I drive up I-5. I know what the risk factors are in the
airplane, and how to mitigate them. I cannot control these idiots in
their 'hot' cars!

I wish I could just grab on to some people (pilots) and just shake them
until they hear me. YOU CAN MAKE THIS AS SAFE AS YOU WANT! STOP BEING
STUPID!

OK, sorry, off my soapbox...

Gene