Hilton wrote:
Hi,

Unfortunately some folks have degraded the initial thread to some political
rambling, so I figured I'd post this to a new thread.

As I predicted:
1. "non-instrument rated private pilot"
2. "Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed"
3. "a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country flight"
4. "As the airplane proceeded east from the departure airport, the pilot
reported that he was having trouble maintaining outside visual contact and
controlling the airplane and wanted help getting back to the airport."

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...27X02016&key=1

I am a CFI-I and I wouldn't have taken my wife and two kids up on that
flight in those conditions.

I certainly would have in my Mooney but I'd have gone IFR. Of course I
know that there are a few on this list that consider single engine
planes far too dangerous for IFR.

-Robert, CFI