Yet we don't hear cries calling for people to ban automobiles. Why?
Because people won't argue for more restrictions on their *own* freedoms
(well, other than [insert least-favorite political affiliation here]).


The assumption in the minds of many is that the automobile is necessary.
Also, cars intruding homes tend to happen where you would expect them too (T
intersections, corners, off ramps). Houses that get hit, tend to get hit
several times. My present home is hardly more likely to get hit by a car
than a plane. Especially by a car with a mechanical problem.

Mostly though, I agree with your point about folks protecting their own
freedoms.

Why don't more people fly? Because they're afraid of dying.

You know, and I know, it's a (mostly) irrational fear. But the fact is, a
lot of people think "little airplanes" are dangerous. They don't get
enraged at stuff like TFRs, because it doesn't affect them, just those
"rich snobs with their Learjets".

That isn't going to change until more people are flying. But people
aren't
even going to consider it until something changes their minds about the
safety aspects. It doesn't have to be a *logical* item... but the
presence
of an aircraft recovery chute that automatically deploys when things go
bad
is likely to be a big factor.


Still following you, people who know nothing about planes are impressed by
BRS. It does help allay their fears, but will it continue to do so when the
facts about a BRS landing come out?

I'm not fond of automotive airbags...yet the marketers now seem to think
safety features help sell cars. Ever since I've been flying, non-pilots
have asked me, "Hey, why don't they invent a parachute that saves the
entire airplane?" Now they've got one.

Second, if the plane is maintained in a fleet, this may not be a big
problem. But if the cars on our highways are any indication, I can't
trust
that the chute will be maintained and work probably if its up to average
citizen as owner.

I used to think that technology was the answer, but now I have become
cynical about society's ability to manage this sort of system with more
than
a few percent of the population owning their own planes. Judgment calls
begin before you even leave the ground, and while technology can overcome
lack of skill, how does it overcome bad judgment?

Dude, you're assuming an evolutionary approach. Quit that. Assume an air
vehicle (AV) that does not *require* a pilot. One in which the only way
to
control the AV is via the computer.

You step inside, and press the "start" button. When the self-test is
done,
you specify your destination, then press "depart."

BRS past its repack date? The AV refuses to take off. Ditto if the
annual
inspection hasn't been accomplished.

And if you're in flight and the AV CPU locks up, the independent safety
system (ISS) fires the BRS and activates the ELT. Heck, there's no reason
a BRS chute can't be made someone steerable, and the ISS aims for the
nearest open space in its database.

Is it *flying*? Heck no. But it would probably make GA palatable for
more
of the non-flying public.


I agree with you that this type of aircraft could change some people's
perception of flying small planes. Unfortunately, it will not change the
following mindsets:

[Insert your favorite idiot voice and accent]

"Flying is unnatural"

"I don't want that noisy thing flying over MY house"

"I don't trust those F'n computers"

"What happens if the computer fails"

etc.

There are lots of problems to overcome, technological and otherwise for this
idea to work. I won't say it won't happen. I just still see problems with
it (which is admittedly my nature).

Also, while technology does tend to come in leaps, you can't count on one.
Moore's law has been mostly evolutionary to this point. It only counts on
leaps coming along every once in a while. So far, the leaps in aviation
have not been coming along all that fast at the low end. The leaps don't
just happen, they are the result of persistent R&D. Now, Cessna won't make
a new small piston plane.

I will hope for your revolution, but I am not holding my breath. Please,
prove me the unnecessary pessimist.