"Viperdoc" wrote in message

I would argue the point that an individual who flies VFR in IMC is a
skillful pilot. Most pilots would suggest that flying in IMC and being
lost
in a thunderstorm do not demonstrate good judgment or skill.

She stated that it was so difficult to control the plane that she couldn't
take her hands off the yoke to hit the "nearest" button on her GPS to find
the closest airport. I do not think this demonstrates a high level of
proficiency or judgment.


I repeat, yet again, that I have never suggested this woman displayed good
judgement. You seem to want to mix judgement and skill, implying that
because this woman displayed poor judgement, she was unskilled. To be
objective regarding aviation, you have to learn to recognize the difference
between judgement and skill. The two are necessary and complimentary in a
good aviator, but are in no way inextricably mixed. I have known pilots of
remarkable skill and astoundingly poor judgement. Their poor judgement,
although lamentable, never reduced their ability to smoothly and accurately
place their craft exactly where they wanted it in time and space. I have
also known people of impressive intellectual judgement without the skills to
push a wheelbarrow. (Fortunately, none of the latter were pilots.)


I spoke with our mechanic today- the plane had tree bark and leaves
embedded
in the wingtip and leading edge. This to me would suggest that at some
point
in time she had hit a tree.

Exactly right -- at some point in time she hit some branches.

These are the facts of the post- if you do not believe that these events
brought this individual close to killing herself so be it.

Well, one fact and two opinions. In any event, she may have been close.
Possibly close. Maybe even probably close. But neither you nor I know that
as fact.