Epilogue ...
*Feet up, popcorn in hand, waiting*
I hope you enjoyed the popcorn?!
Isn't that, according to Douglas Adams, the trick to flying? Nearly hitting the ground? Ah, that was it: Throw yourself at the ground and miss......
Not, unfortunately, as far as Rule 5 is concerned.
For Gods sake Spanner, give it a rest now.
The student was being taught a very valuable lesson on safety by an experienced instructor.
This training could save that pilots life at some time.
Whether it was 600 feet, or 300 feet, is it worth reporting a fellow pilot / instructor who was educating a student in the dangers of poor planning and how to get safely out of such a situation.
I was always told it's not what you say but what you do that impresses the student.
What does this tell the student?
It's okay to fly in crappy weather and break the Rules, because if you do everyone will support you and just say: 'that was a valuable lesson well learnt'
... now how about flying under the Gathurst Viaduct!!!
Amateur pilots, don't you just love 'um?