Just to change the thread slightly and reveal the darkest side of aviation to our enthusiastic brothers........

How many of you guys have had friends killed doing this? I went 15 years 1978-1991 and lost one friend or co-worker **PER YEAR** in instruction, charter and freight. I also eye-witnessed three deaths in two separate accidents. I quit recreational flying after a seaplane tried to send me to hell.

"The drive to the airport is the most dangerous part of the flight" only applies to Part 121 Airline Ops.

"An airplane is an elegant and well-mannered machine in that it has the kindness to show you the method it has chosen for your demise. The difficulty is that by the time you realize it has done this, you are well past the point where the laws of physics have removed you from the control loop. The only thing you can do is sit and observe until the situation reaches its silent end."
L. Manofsky
"Three-Out-Blue"