The CUK "I am a pilot" thread

[vwdan]

NTSB reported there were 1.21 fatalities per 100,000 flight hours for private aircraft (Part 91 operators).

NHTSA reported there were 1.26 fatalities per 100 million miles travelled by automobile

We can equate that to about 2 million hours (estimating an average speed of 50mph). This gives us 0.063 fatalities per 100,000 driving hours.

Private aircraft have a fatality rate about 19 times greater than driving. It is also true that a majority of the accidents that occur are pilot error (71%) and could have been prevented.

Yep, the stats are there - I've spent plenty of time reading them.

My question though, was, what's your point? Plenty on here cycle, and I ride a motorbike too. No, I don't have a death wish, I just believe much risk can be mitigated by not being an idiot. Personally, the fact that pilot error is the main cause actually comforts me, because it places me firmly in charge of my own destiny (Unlike motorbikes/cyclists for example). If I'm sensible, keep learning, pay attention to the weather etc then I should stay relatively safe.

(Also bear in mind that they measure hours to hours, which is statistically sound but you get a lot further for an hour in the air than you do on the ground. I normally spend more time driving to and from the airfield than I do in the air)

[ASB]

NTSB reported there were 1.21 fatalities per 100,000 flight hours for private aircraft (Part 91 operators).

NHTSA reported there were 1.26 fatalities per 100 million miles travelled by automobile

We can equate that to about 2 million hours (estimating an average speed of 50mph). This gives us 0.063 fatalities per 100,000 driving hours.

Private aircraft have a fatality rate about 19 times greater than driving. It is also true that a majority of the accidents that occur are pilot error (71%) and could have been prevented.

I haven't flown myself since I failed a medical many years ago (though I still drive a car). I tended to think that it was no more/less dangerous but was not comparable.

This fellow measures GA as 35 times as fatal : Is flying really safer than driving? | Flying Magazine

This takes a different view : Flying Or Driving: Which Is Safer?

[vwdan]

I haven't flown myself since I failed a medical many years ago (though I still drive a car). I tended to think that it was no more/less dangerous but was not comparable.

This fellow measures GA as 35 times as fatal : Is flying really safer than driving? | Flying Magazine

This takes a different view : Flying Or Driving: Which Is Safer?

Dim Prawn did the usual thing of snaffling the information he specifically wanted to. He got it from a fairly interesting thread over at Aviation.SE with some alternative viewpoints and counterpoints:

safety - How dangerous is flying in a single-engine plane? - Aviation Stack Exchange

It's a very difficult thing to compare, because although Private Flying and Driving are both forms of transport they're not used in anywhere near the same way.

I still don't really understand what DP is trying to do, though - maybe his girlfriend ran off with a pilot or something.

[GJABS]

Would you attempt it ? OR do you think its a bit too Walter Mitty isque..?

Well it is a bit Walter Mitty really.
I'd probably get a Ryanair to Italy - much cheaper per mile. And spend the difference on a top notch pasta

[GJABS]

I haven't flown myself since I failed a medical many years ago (though I still drive a car). I tended to think that it was no more/less dangerous but was not comparable.

This fellow measures GA as 35 times as fatal : Is flying really safer than driving? | Flying Magazine

This takes a different view : Flying Or Driving: Which Is Safer?

Sure flying is a tad more dangerous. But that's the fun of it. T'is a test of your wits..

As you can drive, you can now fly. They changed the medical rules a few years ago. What are you waiting for?

[DimPrawn]

I still don't really understand what DP is trying to do, though - maybe his girlfriend ran off with a pilot or something.

Fly alone by all means, same as jumping on that 1300cc superbike and trashing round lots of winding country lanes with your knee down.

Just don't put your kids in some 20 year old death trap "flying machine", poor little sods. As safe as putting them on the back of your Blade at 190mph.

[GJABS]

You have two to the list!

Although I am out of hours, did my PPL when I was 17, PA-28/38 trained. Used to fly out of Manchester Airport with MSF aviation. Am used to mixing it with the heavies, which was 'interesting' to say the least!

Yes - a 747 could eat us for breakfast!

[vwdan]

Fly alone by all means, same as jumping on that 1300cc superbike and trashing round lots of winding country lanes with your knee down.

Just don't put your kids in some 20 year old death trap "flying machine", poor little sods. As safe as putting them on the back of your Blade at 190mph.

Oh sorry mate, I didn't realise you were just straight up trolling. Carry on.

[NotAllThere]

I had a trial lesson once. I was mostly terrified.

I had a trial gliding lesson once. After we've landed apparently I was somewhat green around the gills Even so, I just wanted to get back up there. Never have though.

[FatLazyContractor]

I had a trial gliding lesson once. After we've landed apparently I was somewhat green around the gills Even so, I just wanted to get back up there. Never have though.

It's age innit?