Mxsmanic wrote in
:

Paul Tomblin writes:

I've been a pilot for 12 years now. I've been married (this time)
for 10. Three years ago, the DE who passed me on my private and
instrument tickets died in a stupid accident. My wife had met him a
few times at flying club dinners and around the airport. A few weeks
ago, a club member who she'd also met several times died in his float
plane, a plane that I'd flown in a few weeks before that. He died
with his best friend, a former club member who I knew a bit but whom
my wife didn't.

Now that two people she's met have died flying in a relatively short
period of time, she's getting less and less secure about my own
flying. Every time I head out to the airport, she gives me the talk.
"Be careful. Don't die. If you have the slightest doubt, come back."
Etc. And so on.

She's right.

I don't think she'll tell me to stop, because she knows I was a pilot
before we married. But what can I do to reassure her?

Follow her advice, and come back alive.

The pilot community is pretty small, and losing three people
associated with our little club is pretty scary for her.

I don't blame her. That's a lot of death, and it doesn't speak very
well of general aviation.

You can tell her that general aviation is safe when done correctly,
which is true. And you can prove it by flying aircraft that are
properly maintained, and flying in a safe way.

Overall, flying a small aircraft is about as dangerous as riding on a
motorcycle with someone. However, you can reduce the danger
dramatically as a pilot by safe flying practices and by flying only
aircraft that are in good condition and well maintained.


How would you know, moron?

You don't fly.

Bertie