Thanks, Rick, for the enlightening (if depressing) post. Sorry to bring
this up at such a dismal time of year, but I found Garrison's article quite
interesting.

Your example of the fellow with terminal cancer (from a few posts down)
flying out over the ocean until he ran out of gas -- although fictional --
is especially poignant. It's hard to fault a guy like that, really. I've
seen too many friends and relatives die of cancer to pretend that it's an
easy way out.

I've seen pilots act in (what I considered) suicidal ways with regards to
their aircraft and weather conditions. Just a couple of days ago I watched
a Cessna Skylane depart into widespread low ceilings and sleet, with the
temperature well below freezing.

Apparently he made it wherever he was going, but ATC was full of moderate
icing reports from King Airs and up. You've just got to wonder what in hell
was so important that our intrepid pilot HAD to depart into the worst kind
of winter conditions.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"