 FACT: According to Alden Tuller, the pilot had poor flying skills,  because he was "prohibited from flying in the clouds." Actually, the  first license a pilot gets does not enable him to fly in clouds.  Pilots are prohibited from flying in clouds unless they are under  "Instrument Flight Rules," and they can not operate under IFR unless  they have an "Instrument Rating." Many good experienced pilots do  not have instrument ratings, and as long as they do not fly in the  clouds, they can be safe, legal, and proficient. The fact that a  pilot does not possess an instrument rating, therefore, should not  be taken to mean that he was unskilled or inexperienced.