Martin Hartwell

I just posted this comment on Sulako's blogsite in response to his excellent story of life as a medevac pilot. It is an interesting, though sad and perplexing story from Canadian aviation history:

For a short summary of a medevac flight gone horribly wrong, check this wikipedia entry: Martin Hartwell

This was one of the most famous air search and rescue missions in Canadian aviation history. At one point the search was called off, and it was only through determined lobbying by Mr. Hartwell's friends that it resumed.

A year or so later, Hartwell showed up at the flying school where I worked. He needed some dual time to brush up his skills and re-establish his proficiency to return to work.

I remember him as a shy quiet man and certainly a capable pilot. Sadly, there were jokes made behind his back along the lines that I'd better check his flight bag for salt and pepper shakers before agreeing to fly with him.

Until we face a situation like his, we have no idea what we would do to stay alive.