In the midst of the international fervor over the aviation related death of JFKjr, I am compelled to write some comments on this subject and how the decision making process strikes home.

JFKjr was a low time private pilot with limited experience, flying a sophisticated airplane at night, over water, into known variable limited visibility conditions. Relative to the over-water flight, he was heard days earlier saying that he was not excited about the proposed flight saying, "I am not a Charles Lindbergh."

It is very unfortunate that this flight ended in three fatalities, particularly with such a celebrity, which may cause a public outcry for more regulation.  We must carefully monitor this situation and individually be in contact with AOPA and our legislators to prevent an adverse swing of the legal pendulum.

Nearly simultaneously with the Kennedy incident, one of our Debonaire Flyers, Inc. members, Greg Mac Millin, was flying our Mooney (M20J) N58166 with his family on board from Northwestern Ohio to Coatesville, PA (40N).  Greg is instrument rated and current.  Just southeast of Johnstown, PA, on an IFR flight plan, Greg encountered rain showers and the storm scope was showing a line of convective activity ahead, across his route.  With less than one hour remaining to 40N, Greg elected to make a 180, land at Johnstown, rent a car and drive the family home, over a four hour trek.

The next morning, Greg and I drove the rental back to Johnstown and flew 166 home in good VFR conditions.  Although exercising good judgment like this is the responsibility of the pilot-in-command, it often evades the thinking process.  Greg deserves honorable mention for such good judgment and (without his permission) I am offering his example to other members and pilot friends to reinforce and stimulate thinking like this.

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This page last updated 10-27-0