BILLINGS - The Rocky Mountain College aviation student whose plane went down Tuesday night went on the record in a statement Friday afternoon. Andrew Scheffer and his family released the statement through the college.

"I would not be here if not for a concerted effort to find me and get me out," the 18 year old pilot said. "Thank you for the medical care. Everyone who helped, you know who you are, I thank you." Scheffer also emphasized his desire to return to the skies.

"My love of aviation is not diminished," Andrew said. "My training at Rocky, in winter survival and in the aviation program overall, has been exceptional, and I hope to return to flying as soon as possible." Scheffer's parents expressed relief for his rescue, and said that they have decided not to conduct interviews about the events.

"Our primary concern was the welfare of our son and we are immensely relieved that he is in relatively good condition," said Andrew's father, Darrin Scheffer. "There is no mystery to us in how Andrew came through this ordeal: This is a God-given event, whether we fully understand it now or not," his parents added.

Meanwhile, efforts to turn off the emergency transmitter from the downed plane were thwarted by a snowstorm Thursday. Ken Pfeifer, a volunteer pilot from the Bridger area, located the crash site Wednesday night after searchers rescued Scheffer.

According to Debbie Alke of the Montana Aeronautics Division, Pfeifer tried to reach the plane to turn off the transmitter, but was unable to do so because of a severe weather passing through the area. She said plans to reach the site Friday had also been called off. The crash site is in rough terrain, surrounded by deep snow, and is a considerable hike from the nearest road, Alke says.

Also Friday, the Rocky Flight Operations Center reported that student flights would resume on Monday. Flights were suspended after Scheffer's plane went down Tuesday night. Scheffer was released from St. Vincent Healthcare Thursday.