Who is responsible?
It's a trick question - the answer is really "all of the above, plus
others".
The pilot clearly has the majority of the safety responsibility, but
he couldn't be safe no matter how hard he tried unless others
participated as well. As an illustration, consider the designer of the
aircraft, the unknown craftsmen who made it, the test pilot who
explored its flight envelope, the A&P who inspected it, the aerotow
pilot who launched the flight, and the flight instructors that taught
the pilot his skills. JJ's list adds the regulatory side of flight,
people who also contribute to safety no matter how much we mock them.
As John Donne said, "no man is an island", and a pilot exemplifies
that saying.
One thing I always keep in mind while flying is that it isn't a
natural thing for us humans. We're airborne courtesy of a lot of smart
people who developed some wonderful machines. But engineering
compromises and uncommon aerial situations exist - we always need to
be wary, as Ernest K. Gann said. I know that I fly wary, because
unlike when I'm driving to work, I can remember every second of a
flight after I land. That's a good thing, because there's always
something to be learned that will help make me a better pilot, even
after a good flight.
-John
On Oct 18, 10:57 am, JJ Sinclair wrote:
Who is primarily responsible for my safety?
(choose one)
A. My supervisor
B. My boss
C. My club
D. My FBO
E. Contest Director
F. Contest Manager
G. Rules Committee
H. Soaring Society of America
I. Soaring Safety Foundation
J. FAA
K. NTSB
L. Me
I got to thinking about the safety responsibility issue, so I started
asking a few people. Got several of the above optipns, but the best
one was, "My husband, Jim",
Food for thought,
JJ
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