The big difference between flying, boating, and driving in my view is
what I call the "pull-over factor."

Not a bad way of looking at it.

So what's the pull-over factor like when your tire blows out or your
power brakes or power steering go out in 60 mph traffic (keeping in
mind that the latter two will happen if the engine dies)? How about
when you start skidding on ice or hydroplaning on water? Or when you
just realized you took a curve too fast? There are times when you
drive a car when just hitting the brakes doesn't get you out of that
ugly situation you're in, and can indeed be the worst thing to do.

Of course these days the engines, tires, brakes, steering, and all the
other equipment on cars is very reliable - but that's only because
volumes are large and manufacturers are reasonably free to make
improvements while government stays out of the way. If the FAA
regulated private cars and had done so since before WWII, I assure you
we would still be trying to certify automatic transmissions and digital
engine controls - and per-capita highway deaths would still be at
1960's levels.

So how do we improve the pull-over factor on airplanes? Well, for one
thing the parachute is a real step in the right direction. Sure,
pilots are using it when it's not necessary - but when it deploys,
they're living through the experience. If we're ever going to
mainstream personal flight so the people who have no business driving a
wheelbarrow can fly an airplane, the airframe parachute will have to
become a standard part of the aircraft.

Really, all the pieces are there. Cirrus has the parachute. Ercoupe
had the simplified control system. Mooney had the full-time autopilot.
Garmin has the navigation and weather all assembled into one package.
The airlines already have digital ATC datalinks. TKS has icing
protection that works. Put it all together, roll in some automation
and decision support (meaning let a computer make the decisions for the
pilot), and you can build a plane any idiot can fly - and actually go
places reliably and quickly. You can't do it cheaply, but if the FAA
would get out of the way it could be done for the price of a high end
Mercedes or BMW.

Michael