"Ron Parsons" wrote in message
...
In article 3hxjb.572390$cF.246908@rwcrnsc53,
"Gary L. Drescher" wrote:

In any case, the pilot database at landings.com lists 11,179 Alaskan
pilots
with current medical certificates. That's 1 in 57 Alaskans. Just out of
curiosity, what made you think it was 1 in 4?

Not from browsing statistical databases, that's for sure.

It's just something I was told when in Alaska, talking with Alaskan
pilots and those who rely on their services.

They do tend to use airplanes there much the same way we use pickup
trucks here in Texas. Not all of our pickups are licensed and on the
farm, many of the drivers are years from license age.

Ok, but you did say originally that 1 in 4 Alaskans is a *licensed* pilot.
Still, in order for the illegal ones to bring the total up to 1 in 4 instead
of 1 in 57, it would have to be the case that 93% of Alaskan pilots are
underage or otherwise unlicensed. Moreover, despite that and despite flying
in unusually dangerous conditions, they'd have to have a fatality rate six
times *lower* than the US average. (Even if every licensed and unlicensed
Alaskan pilot flies *perfectly*--even if no Alaskan pilot ever makes a
single error of judgement or skill in his or her entire life--that *still*
wouldn't bring their fatality rate down to one sixth the US average, because
more than 1/6 of fatal aviation accidents are caused by factors other than
pilot error, according to the Nall Report.)

I think your Alaskan acquaintences may have been pulling your leg. :-)

--Gary