There's two major differences...

1. A little bit of lane swerving VFR at 150kts and 6500' is probably not
going to hurt anyone. Even on a 100' wide runway in a single-engine
plane, there won't be anyone in the lane next to you if you swerve a
bit...

The same may not hold true of at 50MPH on a 2-lane "highway".

2. Pilots can't go more than a couple of years without having a doctor
and an instructor verify their continued ability to fly.

The same does not hold true of automobile licenses.




R. Hubbell wrote in
news:20040305083821.7b5873a9@fstop:

With the recent talk about diving and flying and personal limitations
I wonder how older pilots feel about their own abilities to keep fresh
and when do you hang up the wings? Or do you just limit your flying
and take it easier as long as the medical is good?

I'm sure there's a point when passengers start saying "well
yeah I'd love to go flying but I have to water the lawn".

I'll be happy to be old and flying solo as long as a I can
do it safely. Just not sure if I'll be the best judge of
my safe flying when I'm on the tail end of my years.


I started thinking about this while driving with an old friend.
He didn't notice that he was lane-wandering, while other drivers
did notice. Otherwise he is a safe driver, just not as precise
I suppose.

R. Hubbell