Yes, it was Rob, but from the perspective of someone who (at the time,) was flying for a living, it just made me shake my head. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
He was in a high performance, single-engine Piper Saratoga, no doubt with every bell and whistle that Piper had to sell, and yet he still lost control BECAUSE he could not fly on instruments alone Worse, he did so after dark knowing the enroute weather wasn't very good. And you are correct when you say most drone pilots do not understand instrument conditions. I too have flown with a couple different "hoods." The first was in a T-28 and the hood covered the entire rear cockpit. We also trained in non-motion Link "simulators" which were very helpful even without motion. When I moved to twin-engine training in a Kingair, we did use the old plastic hood. However, today's simulators are so realistic that you forget you're in a box and they have completely removed the need to learn to fly a given aircraft while IN the aircraft. You can get a rating by simply passing a checkride in the box. Yes, you still have to fly with a check airman a bit before you can solo as captain. For almost thirty years, I had to be semi-annually checked "in the box" and I'm here to tell you that I never came out without the back of my shirt being soaked with sweat.
Thoroughly enjoyed your description of flying with your Dad...it sounds like he and I had a lot in common as I used to do those type things with Navy students
That is the perfect statement to describe the issue, Rob.
