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Pastimes : JFK, Jr. Missing-Is there really a family curse? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cgraham who wrote (30)	7/18/1999 6:33:00 PM
From: Brady B.	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 73

I'm an instrument rated pilot with a commercial multi-engine rating along with VFR and IFR Flight Instructor privileges. Every pilot candidate is at some point in his or her training, subjected to "Recovery from Unusual Attitudes" training. This is when the instructor has the student put a hood (partial blindfold) on and then the instructor maneuvers the aircraft into an unusual or "bad" attitude. The student is expected to recover using only the instruments available in the aircraft. If he (JFK Jr.) was injured as you say, he should have went to an Aviation Medical Examiner for an opinion as to whether or not to fly. If he didn't and by-passed the normal evaluation, I would venture to say he made a bad judgement call and was possibly in violation of FARs. As far as being disoriented, yes I have. I think every pilot has to some extent. Getting a pilot to admit this is difficult in some cases. Spatial disorientation can happen to anyone at anytime. The best remedy for this is to be totally aware at all times of the situation that you are in, rely on your instruments and correct the situation asap. bb

To: cgraham who wrote (30)	7/19/1999 1:58:00 PM
From: BelowTheCrowd	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 73

CG, I'm also a pilot, single engine with the instrument rating (which JFK Jr did not have). I agree with BB, most pilots have had some level of disorientation at some time. In my case it usually occurred in Los Angeles smog. Approaching the coastal airports close to sunset you would be pointed straight into the sun and descending into a hazy smog layer. Really weird effect, where everything is perfectly in sight (including the ground), then for about 30 seconds you just lose all bearings as the smog layer, glare from the sun and your airplane all come together. It is scary for a simple reason. Instrument and visual flying are VERY different beasts. Visual, your eyes are mostly outside the plane, consulting only the simple instruments for occasional feedback on the airplane's performance. You can modify your course and attitude at any time just because you feel like it. Instrument, eyes are inside. You're on a set course, as instructed by ATC, using instruments for guidance. A typical accident involves penetration of instrument conditions on a VFR flight. Interestingly, the pilots who get caught by this one are OFTEN instrument pilots. They tell themselves that they're OK to fly into low visibility because they're instrument rated. Unfortuantely, but they don't take it to the logical conclusion (request an instrument clearance and fly it) and continue to muddle about half visual, half not, never solidly in either mode of operation. I would dispute one thing BB said. Unusual attitude recovery for VFR pilots is supposed to be done by reference to visual references outside the cockpit (horizon). There are still lots of planes which do not have attitude instrumentation. Those of us who are instrument rated usually do our checkrides and flight reviews mostly under the hood, but straight VFR pilots do not. mg