WAS: How safe is it, really?

In article ,
Newps wrote:

BUT:
Most light aircraft accidents are caused through continued flight into
IFR (read - don't even attempt to fly there there) weather.

To be more clear: The accidents of this type are for VFR (good
weather) pilots without training on how to effectively operate an
aircraft in IFR (bad weather) conditions.

Not just VFR pilots. Happens to a surprising number if instrument rated
pilots (flying VFR) as well. I'll try to find some stats.

Here's what you'll find...Instrument rated pilots are far more likely to
get into farming by scud running than VFR only pilots.

Which has nothing to do with the rating, but rather is a result
of pilot stupidity.

--
Bob Noel

"Newps" wrote in message
Not just VFR pilots. Happens to a surprising number if instrument rated
pilots (flying VFR) as well. I'll try to find some stats.

Here's what you'll find...Instrument rated pilots are far more likely to
get into farming by scud running than VFR only pilots.

You got stats on this? All I've seen are stats on continued flight into
IMC.

moo

I'm not sure what "reasearch" you did. Only 13% of fatal accidents are
attributed to weather. http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/03nall.pdf

Mike
MU-2


"tony roberts" wrote in message
news:nospam-357D7A.20020930112004@shawnews...
Hi June

I only just found this thread so my comments are a little late.

So, I will try not to worry so much and not give him any more grief
about his hobby. I'm sure he'd thank you guys for your efforts!

I honestly believe that you are making a good decision.

My family did a lot of research into this, prior to me taking my licence
and purchasing a plane.

Here is what we found.

The typical aircraft accident rate is comparable to the typical
motorcycle accident rate.

BUT:
Most light aircraft accidents are caused through continued flight into
IFR (read - don't even attempt to fly there there) weather.

Then we have all of the pilots who fly drunk/doped.

When you remove those from the equation - If you can trust that he CAN
remove those from the equation - and they represent most of the
accidents, what is left is pilot error and mechanical failure.

Pilot error comes down to training/aptitude
Mechanical error is rare - the standards for maintaining aircraft, and
for rebuilding engines, are tough.

So we started out with an accident rate similar to motorcycles,
But we do have a lot of control over a lot of those accidents.

At the end of the day?
A consciencious pilot, who is not taking risks, and is flying a well
maintained aircraft, is very safe.

He's not cast iron - but he is as safe as he can be.

Worth thinking about

Tony

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE








In article ,
(June) wrote:

I really appreciate you all taking the time to express you opinions.
Some very good points were made that I hadn't considered.



June

The typical aircraft accident rate is comparable to the typical
motorcycle accident rate

Comparisons like that are tricky. Is that accidents per hour, or per
mile? Those two ways would give drasticaly different answers.

But I recall a discussion of that topic in Flying mag, years ago. In
a subsequent issue, a letter to the editor from an insurance adjuster
said, "The only more dangerous way to get from point A to Point B than
by motorcycle is by being shot from a cannon."

However, there's an important difference; bikers are at the mercy of
automobile drivers, who open doors in their path, pull out in front of
them, etc. Pilots, however, are rarely killed by someone else.

So a careful, "unbold" pilot is less likely to become a statistic than
an equally careful biker.

vince norris

Almost all people need some escape from "reality", men more than
women.

Most men follow sports too intensely, some booze, some chase women,
some do all three.

A few are pilots. With very few exceptions I find being active pilots
aren't chasing girls, boozing, and so on.

So be thankful your hubby wants to take up a relatively clean way to
escape. His risks increase while flying, but I believe risk of other
negative things decrease.

"June" wrote:
I really appreciate you all taking the time to express you opinions.
Some very good points were made that I hadn't considered.

So, I will try not to worry so much and not give him any more grief
about his hobby. I'm sure he'd thank you guys for your efforts!

Your husband's a lucky guy, June.

Best,
--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM