[freeandfreezing]

What is surprising to me is that a helicopter pilot with over 8000 hours did not have even minimal IFR skills. I would think someone with that much interest in flying would have at least learned the minimum steps to get out of an unexpected IFR situation alive.

Particularly when that is a lot easier in a helicopter than an airplane. The helicopter he was flying seems like it would have been equipped with a full set of instruments suitable for IFR flight.

In my opinion every VFR pilot should have at least some training in how to survive an unexpected encounter with IFR conditions.

[StAnDeliver]

"In my opinion every VFR pilot should have at least some training in how to survive an unexpected encounter with IFR conditions."

And yet he had just had IIMC training that was mostly 'use the damn autopilot and climb out' but apparently didn't learn a damn thing.

I still don't understand not punching out top at the very beginning, fly off the coast above the entire lid, and then come in through Oxnard. It's a freaking Sikorsky!

[T.B. Yoits]

What is surprising to me is that a helicopter pilot with over 8000 hours did not have even minimal IFR skills.

Helicopter pilots in many areas don't fly IFR but especially so in sunny areas. That said, I don't think his deficient IFR skills got him; his unwillingness to say no to a high profile client is more likely the culprit.

[TalBlack]

Yeah, at the time of the accident I didn’t get why the fog gave this guy such a problem. He seemed pretty experienced. A glance at the instruments is all it takes.