I think that if you take on a "risky" hobby, you should be prepared to pay if someone has to come rescue you.

I don't think that flying a plane is considered "risky".

You don't just wake up in the morning and decided to fly a plane.

You spend a certain amount of time doing your ground school, you have to pass a test. THEN you get to spend LOTS of time and money training with an instructor learning how to fly.

It's not a trivial endeavor.

Anyone can decide to climb a glacier. It's not regulated.

But you can't just take a plane out for a spin on a whim.

I just don't see how they can make his widow pay for the search.