"Matt Herron Jr." wrote in message
...
I also find this interesting. I wonder if the ratio of 100/1 would be
the same if one only considered glider-involved accidents. My guess
is we have a disproportionate number of mid-airs. Any way to check?

Matt

Whereas I don't see any position in this thread that is inherently better or
worse to place this comment, I have chosen this one on the basis that no
trimming is necessary or usefull.

I really see 2 points that need to be made:

1) Any time that a major factor is eliminated from a statistic, the
proportions will increase for the previously minor factors. Simply by
talking about glider operations, we have eliminated either all or most cases
of fuel eshaustion/mismanagement, crashes during instrument approaches,
collisions with approach light supports, and a lot of other causes when
aircraft are used for training and/or transportation.

2) Any life lost is NOT 1 too many!

In the United States alone, about 4 million people have to die--simply due
to the statistics of human lifespans.

The remark that 27 people would still be alive is simply an assertion that
it is somehow better to die by wasting away in a hospital or hospice than in
the course of doing something productive, entertaining, or even (horrors)
courageous.

We should and do try to perform as safely as is prcatical in our work, our
play, and even in our wars. But we most certainly do not need to justify
our actions to anyone who chooses to experience only simulaton and then
chooses to criticize those who take real action.

There are only 2 reasonable courses of action in dealing with such trolls:
ignore them or push back HARD!

Peter