"Michael" wrote in message
ups.com...
Nevertheless, the fatality rate goes down every year. It's not becuase
the drivers are getting better. They're not. It's not because they're
driving less or being more conservative or more restricted. They're
not. The cars are getting safer. In an atmosphere of wide access and
minimal regulation, it is economically feasible to improve safety
through technology.

Well, don't forget that automobile safety is easier to improve through
"technology" because motor vehicles don't have the same design issues that
aircraft do.

Most of the safety improvements for motor vehicles comes from improved
handling and stopping, and stronger (but usually heavier) structure. None
of those solutions are applicable to aviation. Of course, motor vehicles
also enjoy a much lower velocity during an accident; if no aircraft ever
went faster than 60mph (even in a dive or after structural failure),
fatalities would be much lower.

I am not convinced that technology is likely to improve safety in aviation
as much as it has in motor vehicles, even if I do agree that
overly-stringent regulation stifles innovation (which I do). Not until
airplanes are basically just flying themselves, removing the human element
altogether.

Pete