Legendary Alaska bush pilot Jim Tweto has been confirmed as one of two men who died in the crash of a Cessna 180 near Unalakleet, Alaska, on June 16. Tweto was flying the 180 and the other victim was Idaho guide Shane Reynolds, a family friend. Witnesses said the aircraft failed to gain altitude and crashed shortly after takeoff. No official details are available. His daughter Ariel confirmed the tragedy in a Facebook post, saying her dad died "doing what he truly loved."
The best part of this wonderful film was almost overshadowed by the fantasy—but it IS included in Paul’s narrative.
It is the line that begins with “Father and Son”. Paul’s REVIEW is award-winning!
It doesn’t “take a village to raise a child”—and while teachers can also be an inspiration—most teachers will tell you that despite their best efforts, there is nothing as important as a strong home life.
What a charming and creative piece of video! (I was glad to see our cadet chose not to pull a Lunkin at the grain elevators and went vertical instead.) Dad may have done most of the technical heavy lifting, but the child playing the cadet is a natural. I’d give it five props.
During my decade long aviation stint in sub-Sahara Africa a local legend lost his life in a “bush” context related accident. Having just replaced this pilot at his previous post I was naturally shaken by his death, wondering what I was doing out there if this environment could claim someone like him. His death inspired in me a recommitment to safety by increasing my own respect for the environment in which we flew. That environment more than others can ruthlessly claim lives. It’s one thing to compete in STOL competitions with tricked out single purpose airplanes. It’s another to do the everyday work with utility workhorse airplanes demanded by aviation in the outback. Condolences to the families of both men.
My sincere condolences to the families. Let that be a lesson to me and my students; that even the best pilots are subject to the vagaries of nature and mechanical issues. Fly safely, always be on your guard, but understand that this flying business has risks and fate is indeed the hunter.