Final Landing

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
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.

Freight dog?

I've seen those guys arrive and depart in weather that I wouldn't want
to *drive* in, let alone fly.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

I wondered the same thing. I'm thinking that some are "borderline" suicidal
meaning that they don't care anymore but are not ready to kill themselves
outright. Instead of a suicidal attitude, they have a "come-what-may"
attitude and neglect to take normal precautions. Pretty impossible to prove
in an accident.

Marco Leon


"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:S18Id.20072$EG1.12888@attbi_s53...
Did anyone else read Peter Garrison's article about pilot suicides in this
month's "Flying" mag?

It really makes you wonder if some of those "inexplicable" accidents we
talk
about here -- you know, the ones where the normally safe and solid pilot
flies off into horrible weather, or flies a plane with a known mechanical
problem -- aren't really suicides?

I found the conversations with ATC to be especially chilling...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
Did anyone else read Peter Garrison's article about pilot suicides in this
month's "Flying" mag?

It really makes you wonder if some of those "inexplicable" accidents we talk
about here -- you know, the ones where the normally safe and solid pilot
flies off into horrible weather, or flies a plane with a known mechanical
problem -- aren't really suicides?

Haven't seen it, but that possibility goes through your mind, hearing of
some accidents. A few days ago, a new private pilot near the end of the
runway at an uncontrolled airport got out of his airplane with the
engine running and walked into the propeller. No explanation has been
determined (and maybe never will be), and perhaps it was something like
removing chocks ... but you do wonder ...

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 14:08:50 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

Did anyone else read Peter Garrison's article about pilot suicides in this
month's "Flying" mag?

Overheard at the airport restaurant:

Old man: "My medical is due and if I don't pass I'm going to get in
the Super Cub and fly out over the ocean until it runs out of gas.:

Young Man: "No Dad NO ! ... not the Super Cub."

- J.O.-

Good one....


"John Ousterhout"
wrote in message ...
On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 14:08:50 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

Did anyone else read Peter Garrison's article about pilot suicides in this
month's "Flying" mag?

Overheard at the airport restaurant:

Old man: "My medical is due and if I don't pass I'm going to get in
the Super Cub and fly out over the ocean until it runs out of gas.:

Young Man: "No Dad NO ! ... not the Super Cub."

- J.O.-

John,

Did you happen to read Ernie Gann's excellent novel, _Gentlemen of
Adventure_? One of the main characters, when suffering from terminal
cancer, sneaks out of the hospital, steals and ambulance, drives to a
very small airport, takes an airplane (after writing out a check for
more than it's worth and leaving it secured on the hangar floor) and
flies out over the ocean until he runs out of fuel.
Very moving.

All the best,
Rick

wrote:

Very moving.

Yes, that's a great book!

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

I have no doubt that some of the "inexplicable" accidents are real, no-note
suicides. The same thing is true of single-car accidents.

I've sometimes wondered how much the FAA's stance on "neuropsycholgical"
disorders actually contributes to this problem. Just seeing a counselor, let
alone taking medication, can result in getting your medical yanked if you report
it or the FAA finds out. That means that some people probably don't get the
help they need because they're afraid of being grounded.

Dave Reinhart


Jay Honeck wrote:

Did anyone else read Peter Garrison's article about pilot suicides in this
month's "Flying" mag?

It really makes you wonder if some of those "inexplicable" accidents we talk
about here -- you know, the ones where the normally safe and solid pilot
flies off into horrible weather, or flies a plane with a known mechanical
problem -- aren't really suicides?

I found the conversations with ATC to be especially chilling...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"David Reinhart" wrote in message
...
I have no doubt that some of the "inexplicable" accidents are real,
no-note
suicides. The same thing is true of single-car accidents.

I've sometimes wondered how much the FAA's stance on "neuropsycholgical"
disorders actually contributes to this problem. Just seeing a counselor,
let
alone taking medication, can result in getting your medical yanked if you
report
it or the FAA finds out. That means that some people probably don't get
the
help they need because they're afraid of being grounded.

Dave Reinhart


I know of one although he did not use an airplane.

Yes I read the Article Jay, just goes to show there are some real nuts out
there, but why take it out on General aviation? These folks are only
thinking about themselves, Sad.
Clyde

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:S18Id.20072$EG1.12888@attbi_s53...
Did anyone else read Peter Garrison's article about pilot suicides in this
month's "Flying" mag?

It really makes you wonder if some of those "inexplicable" accidents we
talk
about here -- you know, the ones where the normally safe and solid pilot
flies off into horrible weather, or flies a plane with a known mechanical
problem -- aren't really suicides?

I found the conversations with ATC to be especially chilling...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"