[Archangelsk]

Yeah, but he was a doctor (or ex-doctor now) anddontyouknow that flight plans are for little people. /sarcasm off

(I think I'll take a couple of physiology courses and, just for the hell of it, walk into a surgical theatre and start slicing patients open). /sarcasm really off now

[falcon6]

A little information so you know what you are talking about:

The pilot was a cancer doctor but he did not do cancer research. He treated ordinary people for cancer in the a desert area near Mexican border in California. He and his wife built the center because he recognized a community in need. The majority of his patients were hispanic and fairly poor. He did as much pro bono work as he did work for money - he never denied a patient for lack of money or insurance. He was much loved in the community. It is shameful to take pot shots at a man you know nothing about.

He was also a brilliant pilot who never took risks. He flew his MU-2 at least twice a week for 8 years. He flew into the Napa area about 1-2 a month. He knew his plane well. He knew it was a hot rod and flew it with the respect it deserved. He was not an inexperienced pilot who was in over his head.

Further, he did file a flight plan. He filed it in the air and then closed it when he had the Napa runway in sight. He switched to VFR and and that effectively closed his flight plan.

I find many of the glib comments I read here extremely thoughtless and offensive. Many of the replies insult a man and his wife who have done more service and more good in their lives than you can possibly imagine. The pilot usually worked 15-18 hour days to make sure his patients got the best care. He and his wife deserved every luxury in life they enjoyed.