Haven't flown in a long while...

Skylune wrote:
by "Sport Pilot" hppilot001@[EMAIL PROTECTED] Jan 31, 2006 at 08:17 AM




If you want a safer past time or hobby. Try riding motorcycles

I've done a little flying and a lot of bike riding. Studies say they are
about equally risky.

My impression is that riding motorcycles is far more dangerous than
proficient flier who is cautious.

Of course, the planes make much more noise....

Statistics say that the only thing more dangerous than flying small
planes is skydiving. However that includes IFR. I recall reading in
aviation consumer years ago that VFR flying is safer than motorcycles
but still behind automobiles. IMO a lot could be done about small
aircraft safety. I recall Burt Rutan proposed a system that would
probably make IFR flying safer, but would add expense for a heads up
display.

by "Sport Pilot" Jan 31, 2006 at 10:01 AM


Statistics say that the only thing more dangerous than flying small
planes is skydiving. However that includes IFR. I recall reading in
aviation consumer years ago that VFR flying is safer than motorcycles
but still behind automobiles. IMO a lot could be done about small
aircraft safety. I recall Burt Rutan proposed a system that would
probably make IFR flying safer, but would add expense for a heads up
display.

Well, I think scuba diving is also up there as high risk. I'm not saying
that flying a small plane is not "high risk" (thats y so many life
insurance companies have exclusions for diving, flying and skydiving),
just that a cautious flyer (not pushing minimums, thourough pre flight
100% of the time, flying a relatively new plane, etc.) is safer than
riding a bike, IMO.

I don't think there will ever be a way to 100% objectively compare safety
statistics of different modes of transportation, but the most thoughtful
studies have put it about at the level of riding a bike. But I still
think flying a plane puts most of the risk on the pilot (training,
competence, currency, etc.) whereas on a motorcycle, you are at the whim
of people in cars and trucks.


I had numerous close calls on my old Yamaha RD 350 when I was in my 20s.
All caused by cars that didn't see me or just didn't care. When I flew in
the past, I wasn't really worried about a mid air. These are statistically
rare.