Morgans wrote:
Hilton wrote:
Jay Honeck wrote:
And also perhaps another example (together with the stats) that Private
pilots need more (real) instrument time that what's required by Part
61.

Do you really think that would have helped?

Yes Jay, I do believe training improves a pilot's skills.

Keeping in mind that better flying skills will not always save your butt,
training does not always teach someone to have better decision making
skills. I've got to think that was the biggest contributor, in this case,
don't you?

I agree 100% with you. Here are my thoughts. This guy just finished
training, went through the practical and passed; i.e. proficient per the
requirements. He couldn't handle the IMC, and the statistics say that many
many others couldn't too; i.e. the ones who crash. So, why then do we teach
instrument skills? Either pilots need to be proficient enough to be able to
do a 180 - that's all this pilot needed to do, or not. If not, scrap the 3
hours from Part 61. If they should be able to fly (to safety) in IMC, then
IMHO pilots need a lot more instrument training for their private. Bottom
line, this scenario is so high on the 'killer' list, clearly something is
wrong with the requirement and/or training.

Having said all that, yes, the decision to go was extremely bad - that's why
I called this thread 'Angry'. But once the pilot was in IMC, why could he
not do a 180 after he had just very recently finished the training and
checkride to do just that?

Hilton