Why Soaring's Safety Record Doesn't Improve

Todd Pattist wrote:
Tony Verhulst wrote:


Safety is in the attitude and skillset of the individual pilot. Danger lies
between the ears of the pilot, not in the hardware or rulebook.

For the glider pilot, I think this is very true.


I don't.

Aircraft design is an important element in the safety
equation. Automatic hookups do help reduce "failure to
connect controls" accidents in a way that no amount of
training can duplicate.

Rules have a role to play too.
Todd Pattist - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
I think both are valid views, but should not be exclusive.

If you do not think safe thoughts and practice safe habits you will be dangerous
to yourself or others. Conversely, having a good attitude and being careful is
not infallible.
Anyone who has never gone " Damn that was dumb/dangerous/irrational" after the
fact has no use for automatic control hookups. The rest of us with the
unreliable Mk1 brain can do with all the help we can get. The important point is
not to rely on the technology, or rule book to substitute for thought.