wrote:

The pilot received his student pilot certificate on March 16, 2005. On
March 24, 2005, he received his private pilot certificate with a
glider rating. On March 26, 2005, he obtained his commercial pilot
certificate with a glider rating. According to the pilot's logbook, as
of April 5, 2005 (the day before the accident), he accumulated a total
of 48.4 hours of flight time, of which 31.2 hours were as
pilot-in-command.

Even James Bond or Tin Tin could not qualify to carry passengers in 10
days from novice. Clearly this pilot must have had some prior
training/experience that is not reflected above.

My South African Glider Pilot's Licence and Instructor's Brevet together
do not permit me to carry passengers for hire and reward here, let
alone in Hawaii. If I took on a job flying joy rides in Hawaii, chances
are I would have to get Student, Private and Commercial Glider Pilot's
ratings in a hurry. Maybe I could do it in 2 weeks.

The 48.4 hours were probably what he logged since arriving on the
Island. Of course this does not explain why the accident happend.


Ian