Some quotes from a Honolulu newspaper,

"Friends said the pilot had moved to the islands from Wisconsin in
December.

"He was living life to the fullest," said Jesse Savage, a friend of
Nelson's in Madison, Wis., who had spoken to him in the last month. "He
was passionate in all things he did."

Savage said Nelson was survived by his parents and an older sister.

He said Nelson did not have a pilot's license when he left Wisconsin.



Nelson has no family in the islands. His father, Richard, said he plans
to come to Hawaii to take his son's body back to his native Wisconsin.
He said his son was an inspiration to a lot of people.

"We lost a good person. He was somebody who enjoyed every bit of life,"
he said.

Nelson said his son received his pilot's license two weeks ago and was
proud of his certification.

His sister, Riana, said her brother started flying with passengers
after he passed a test for his commercial pilot license two to three
weeks ago."



I think the 48.4 hours is probably a true reflection of his experience.


Ben Jeffrey