Getting under a cloud layer and proceeding visually to a destination has been a temptation for pilots since the beginning. Airmail pilots, cruising at maybe 80 mph, had plenty of time to see and avoid obstacles down really low, but they still crashed airplanes. There were a lot fewer obstacles back then, and what we’re likely to be flying these days is a lot faster.
The temptation is still there, though, often resulting from overconfidence in one’s abilities and supposed familiarity with the route, among other factors. Add in some pressure to complete the flight—whether self-imposed or demanded by passengers—and you’ll do what you can to find a way to complete the mission. That’s when the temptation to do something less than smart can be at its greatest.
