I got the time off today, so put me in the "Most likely going" category.

YAY!!

Also, now all I can see is Jimmy Stewart in 'Flight of the Phoenix', with his voice over going "...pilot error."

Pilot error is quite common to cause an accident, and not the whistles and bells not working proper. A few people have crash landed their lil Cubs at the airport my dad learned to fly at because of doing something they should have known better than to do. It wasn't many (if I recall, the two years he was there, 3 people crash landed (seriously, check your wheels), and 1 plane plain crashed because of bad weather). Just relying on instruments isn't enough, ya know?

Also, in the incidents where the pilot did do everything right, a BRS usually won't help much (like the bad weather you mentioned).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_Recovery_Systems

It's kind of funny, but many of the aircraft with the most "safety" systems actually have the worst accident track records. Probably because most aircraft accidents are the result of the pilot doing something when he knew better.

BRS (ballistic recovery system, basically a parachute for the whole plane for those unfamiliar)

Ya know, now that I've heard of this, it seems like something every plane should have.

I did my primary training in a 172. I like low wing aircraft better though. Also, whoever thought that airplanes should have yokes instead of sticks is sadly mistaken. I wish all airplanes had sticks!

A family friend owns a 172. His wife would only let him even train if he got the 172 (best safety record) with a BRS (ballistic recovery system, basically a parachute for the whole plane for those unfamiliar). He jokes his 18 year old son can fly it better than he can drive.

This is one promise I can keep. The only one, really.

With you, I'll take what I can get.

I am heading to the Smokies this year, so if you want to spend a few days hiking back in the park with me you're welcome to.

Wait... where do you plug in your console?