On 2006-09-27, Emily wrote:
Jose wrote:
Instrument flying in light airplanes appeals to daredevil technogeeks,
and damn few others.
I don't think that's a fair or true statement.
unsafe. To say that those of who who fly IFR in light airplanes are
daredevils to a great disservice, and plays right into the hands of
those who think GA is dangerous, period.
To nitpick here, he did say '...and damn few others', implying that not
all light plane IFR people are daredevil technogeeks. Also, GA *is*
dangerous, period, in comparison to most things we do in our daily
lives. It's certainly the most dangerous thing I do, and is reflected in
insurance rates. Most insurance forms here don't even *ask* if you ride
a motorcycle, but they ask if you fly in GA aircraft - which puts up
your premiums by a clear order of magnitude.
If people want to fly with me and ask how safe flying a light plane is -
I tell them straight. I tell them it is approximately as safe as riding
a motorcycle on the roads, which is what I've seen so far is the best
comparison. I'm not going to lie to a non-pilot because then they won't
have the best information to judge whether or not it's an activity they
want to participate in. I've not yet had anyone refuse.
I'm a daredevil techogeek and proud of it, too. Life is too short to be
risk averse, and in any case - most of us are fated to die slowly and
horribly over a period of several years. I'd rather live than wait to
die. Additionally - I've got around 1200 hours and *never* hurt an
airplane - but I'm quite aware that however well I plan there is always
the possibility of something going wrong from mechanical failure to my
own fsckup - and try to prevent it and guard against it. That is why I
refused to join the chorus of indignant condemnation about the LEX crash
- I'm more interested in the human factors that caused it so I have a
fighting chance of understanding it and hopefully preventing myself from
making a similar stupid pilot trick. Enjoying doing activities that has
an element of risk involved DOES NOT mean you go ahead and do it with
blatant disregard for safest practice. And I just enjoy doing glider
aerobatics far too much to give it up!
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