Allthough I liked the story, this is something I really don't understand:
"“It just so happened that I’m an instrumented-rated pilot. I’ve been trained to fly in those kind of weather conditions,” Cornell said. “My father is a retired airline pilot who spent many an hour making sure I knew how to fly.”"
Why did he mention his father as a ritired airline pilot? Has that something to do with his skills?
Really it sounds a bit simple to me, mentioning your father... Further all kudo's to him, but this is what I don't understand...