The danger of general aviation? The facts and my approach

This is one of the most common questions I see about general aviation... how dangerous is it? I think the data is pretty interesting, but even more interesting is the cause of accidents. It's worth looking at and understanding what we can do to make this great hobby as safe as we can.
Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:09 The Data of Aviation Accidents
0:57 Are Accidents Random?
1:29 The Causes of Aviation Accidents
4:05 How Dangerous Situations Happen in the Real World
5:33 Engine Reliability in General Aviation
6:22 All That Matters: The Next Flight
6:52 My Stance on the Safety of GA - Point 1
7:16 My Stance on the Safety of GA - Point 2
NTSB Stats Model: www.ntsb.gov/safety/Pages/res...
FAA Causes of Fatalities: www.faa.gov/newsroom/general-...
AVWeb Video on Engine Reliability (at the 5:59 mark): • Why Aircraft Engines Quit
Thumbnail image: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
==
Looking to start your aviation journey but not sure where to begin? Get the 23 resources I wish I had at the start of my aviation journey in an easy-to-reference PDF. You'll get the short answers along with links to expanded resources on every single topic. This 25-page PDF is jam-packed with value and addresses nearly all of the topics I most commonly get asked about flight training, all in one place, for free. Grab it here: airplaneacademy.com/start
Want to avoid the mistakes I've made and learn from the things that have gone right? Below you can sign up below for my free five-day email series that covers the most impactful lessons I've had as an aviator, from flying to airplane ownership:
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If you want to know more about me (Charlie), here's my bio and aviation bucket list: airplaneacademy.com/charlie-g...
More aviation tips, tricks, and FAQ's over at airplaneacademy.com
Looking to work with me 1-on-1? Visit airplaneacademy.com/hire-charlie for more info!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know I just launched an "Insiders" Newsletter where once a week I'm sharing an important lesson I've learned in aviation, links to my latest content so you don't miss out, and links to any other interesting or helpful content I've found. Subscribe (it's free) at: airplaneacademy.com/insiders

[@buckshot704]

One of the best books I’ve ever read on this subject is, “The Killing Zone - How and Why Pilots Die” by Dr. Paul A Craig. Dr Craig is an ATP, and a Gold Seal Flight Instructor for multi-engine, instrument, and seaplane. Since 2002, he has completed safety research projects for universities, the FAA, and NASA. I strongly recommend this resource, alongside the channel, for anyone who consistently strives to have one takeoff equal one landing. Thanks for continuing to illustrate safety, Charlie. ✈️👍

[@BrianSiskind]

There are so many takes in that great book that people don't subscribe to... the most interesting one I recall was that he said he does not let his students do touch and go's - only landings to a full stop. It totally makes sense actually.

[@buckshot704]

@@BrianSiskind ; Agreed. Dr Craig is scheduled to be a Guest Speaker for my EAA chapter via Zoom this spring. We are excited to hear his next presentation. 👍

[@edb7742]

@@BrianSiskind What is the rationale for that? Isn't it important for students to know how to go around in case they are landing at an unfamiliar airport and, for example, come in too fast? Thank you.

[@BrianSiskind]

@@edb7742 Yes it was a response to an accident where the pilot failed to execute a go around properly on an aborted takeoff. "I teach at an airport that has 3900 feet of runway and I don't let my students make touch and go's anymore." I strongly advise other pilots not to do it either. This maneuver just has to many accidents associated with it for me to be comfortable. Too many things have to happen just right, during a very short amount of time, for it to be a safe maneuver." He then explains a situation where a nervous student doing TnGs in the pattern didnt have flaps come up, rotated without noticing, flew a treetop level downwind and made it back to find the circuit breaker had popped. This would have been caught in a full stop.

[@brittany16950]

Thank you for the recommendation. I will buy that book.

[@YahFllr]

My wife had total engine failure at 7000 ft, with three of our children in the back seat. There happen to be a county airport in the area and she turned the Cessna into a glider and safely landed onto the runway. All these while engine oil all over the windshield. She said with the three children in the airplane, that Mommy Angus kicked in and she was going to get onto the ground safely!!

[@1972challenger]

How soon before she was back in the air?

[@naturesfinest4218]

Your wife is an absolute badass!!!

[@flywithsaxardiid5853]

May God protect us

[@vedanttiwary2419]

That's so impressive

[@flygulfstreamg650]

❤ full respect

[@thomasmoezer6735]

Great Video, Charlie. Single most important driver for safety is the pilot's attitude towards risk. You can only become experienced if you survive your mistakes!

[@buckshot704]

Agreed. “…aircraft that return to the earth with wings level, under control, at minimum speed, have survivors onboard…” Doug Rozendaal, Mason City, Iowa. Doug is a DPE, with more than 10,000 hours, in over 170 types of aircraft.

[@av8rgrip]

Or learn from others mistakes so you don’t make the same ones.

[@JaidenJimenez86]

When I started learning to fly, I did get some comments about "aren't you afraid you might have an accident?" or whatever, but it's no different to what I do every night as a trucker. I can just as easily stall-spin on approach as I can lose my trailer and go down an embankment cause I didn't check the tyres. I can have a bird strike on takeoff, but someone can throw a brick off an overpass... it's no different.

[@scottfranco1962]

To people who say that, I point out that automobiles regularly pass other cars, both going 65 MPH or more, with only a yard or two separation, a closing speed of 130 MPH. Aircraft pilots get excited when passing a few miles from each other.

[@taxidermydavid]

@@scottfranco1962 And I would add that while there are idiots with PPL. The vast majority of people who are in planes have some sense. In cars, every teenager and moron with a 95 IQ are in your orbit every time you drive.

[@scottfranco1962]

@@taxidermydavid And its worth pointing out, cars have been idiot proofed to an amazing degree. You really have to try to kill yourself in a car. The vast majority of car accidents are survivable. Could this happen with aircraft? I would say yes it could, but there seems to be no will to do so. Airbags have been slow to come to aircraft, and we have the tech now to use autopilots to restrict pilots from stalling the aircraft, and even hitting the ground or other aircraft, most of which would cost more than the aircraft. But then people ride motorcycles, which have a horrific accident survival rate. All of which leads back to the basic conclusion of any aircraft accident study, which is the main issue is between the pilot's ears.

[@BearorShotmailcom]

I put my PPL journey on hold (20 hrs) last year due to safety concerns and this video did a brilliant job applying your perspective. Nice work!

[@toastmasterstoast-a-matics6955]

My husband has been piloting for nearly 18 years. He remembers ALL the time; there are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. But there aren't very many old, bold pilots. My hubby intends to be an old pilot. He's incredibly careful.

[@orvilleh.larson7581]

" . . . He's incredibly careful." Good man. He'll likely live to become an old pilot. As "Dirty Harry" Callahan put it: "A man's gotta know his limitations!"

[@johnpro2847]

this saying usually applys to motorcycle riders in particular.

[@oliverbourne9599]

Amazing. As someone who has been very seriously pondering beginning the PPL journey and then in the hunt for information and training, finding KZbin channels on fatal crash analysis, I was definitely having second thoughts. This is a great video to give some structure and balance to your own fear

[@MrMinusTwo]

This was awesome! Super well researched and high production value. Perfect content. Thanks for posting!

[@byronspencer539]

Studying accident statistics and taking measures to not be within the overrepresented groups is the exactly how you avoid becoming a statistic within any risky activity from mountain climbing to flying to riding motorcycles. Great advice in this video. Great way to think about how staying safe requires conscious ongoing effort.

[@jakegriner7346]

I really like the preventable/risk mitigation vs your time has come. People can understand that, because the same is true for driving. Sometimes you got trapped in a pile up and there is nothing you could’ve done, but a lot of accidents are driving too fast, at night, in the rain, on the phone, etc. If you mitigate what factors you control, the safety goes way up.

[@raymondseligman7003]

The content of his videos is fantastic. But I also noticed that he has probably the best lighting of any KZbin commentator I have seen. No shadows, no harsh lights; perfect.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks! I've been tweaking it over the course of time, trying to dial it in. Lighting is always a never-ending process!

[@kurtreber9813]

...AND FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE. That and excessive speed. Those to me are the two biggest mistakes drivers make. Pride also doesn't help.

[@stevestevens9046]

I might have a crash next time I fly.. but I feel safer in the air than driving the roads are unsafe people drive like they're crazy... to fast.. looking at the phone ext

[@laxboy4real727]

Absolutely amazing video! We all have seen these accident reports, and even though it’s sad, it keeps us pilots humble. Having a high ego when it comes to risk taking is never good

[@lechstryzewski9350]

Excellent video Charlie. Thank you for digging into the stats and details.

[@asarangan]

Great topic, great video. It is so true that safety slips in small stages. We typically attribute the cause to the last link in the accident chain, in reality the accident started several steps prior to that. Every pilot needs to be taught how to recognize when a chain of events is occuring, and break the chain before he get to the last link.

[@av8rgrip]

Think of it this way. A chain of events is usually only recognized by the accident investigation after an accident has occurred. By having a safety mindset you will avoid creating that chain to begin with.

[@Jeffrey-Flys]

Great video Charlie. Exactly what needs to be said.

[@timhoke2]

Good stuff, Charlie. Because I am out of the country four months at a stretch, I chair fly often, Then when I return to the States (and my plane) I fly with either a CFI or buddy the first couple of flights just to make sure that I am proficient. Then, and only then, do I fly solo.

[@michiganwoodsman2199]

I want you to know that’s a bit extreme but also absolutely excellent!!!! Very smart! I wish I had a friend like you, someone who thinks that far ahead is so so rare nowadays

[@StephensonRaceTech]

Great video brother. A nice clean and concise look and some easy to misunderstand situations and misconceptions. Good job and thank you.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ryan-shore]

Great video and all great points, Charlie!

[@neerajchaudhary1821]

Another great video buddy, really appreciate it.

[@aviator_thomas]

Thanks for that video! It's really about what most people have difficulties with: statistics vs facts. You explained it really well and everyone out there flying in GA as a passenger who's maybe somehow scared should watch this. 👌

[@Kaimine08]

Aviation is one of the most unforgiveable hobbies you can have for those that are careless. If you suspect something is wrong, it is your choice if you want to pursue it and how you want to go about it. Listen to your gut, your gut is telling you something. If something doesn't feel right, don't get yourself into a position that you need to use superior skill to get yourself out of it.

[@LakshmikanthKishorRabi]

That was an amazingly done video, Charlie! Thanks for putting this out.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed.

[@tombuck]

“Safety starts at zero for every flight” is a really good reminder for lots of things in life. Love that.

[@jabri2441]

Great information on this video. I really appreciate what you are doing. You have given me a sense of more peace when it comes to flying.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad!!

[@sebastiangeorger5791]

I've noticed the quality of your videos have improved so much as of recent. Good job

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the feedback and the kind words!

[@billgoldenthal8327]

Ok, this was one of your best. Well done. Appreciate seeing the data also. Bill

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Really appreciate it.

[@jamesabell7587]

This was a great episode. I think this is one of your best yet. It is one that I think every new pilot should hear. There are a lot of misconceptions about becoming a pilot and the risks involved. This episode was one of the clearest takes on those risks and the truths not the myths.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the feedback and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@larrybell5144]

Well thought out and presented. Thank you!

[@rustyjones23]

Great outlook and rationale on general aviation safety! Thanks for sharing.

[@sheldonjanzen3483]

Im a trucker..and armchair pilot..in trucking i learnt its very similar to flying. Everything has to be calculated in advance because you know it takes 20 seconds or more to stop. A lot can happen in that time and if your in the mountains or some bad place, well your time is just up. You have to be diligent in your safety and attentive at all times but no matter what there is still that margin of risk/random fate..mechanical failure, traffic accidents..etc..still just because you crash doesnt mean youll die either..i rolled a picker truck and im here truckin 17 years later..wishing i was flying..great channel man i love it. Raw truth and interesting topics all the time for rookies like me!

[@sevendogg8632]

Charlie, I don’t know whether or not you are commercially certified, but you are a truly professional pilot. Spot on assessment of risk and how to approach it.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks Seven! Really appreciate that.

[@SharkyintheSky]

I fly a foot launched Powered Paraglider and so much of this video is applicable. You have a great way of presenting information. Keep 'em coming. Subbed!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you as a subscriber!

[@farmgene]

Nice video. I went fly today after 6 months. It was difficult, but good to get back in the seat. I did a good preflight, took my time, and of course, went alone. It was good to see this video after today’s flight. Well done.

[@farmgene]

@naborsimbor5752 you can go alone…you can’t take passengers until you do 3 landings within the preceding 90 days

[@danielmcnulty8736]

This is great. Outstanding point of view. I ride a motorcycle, and I fly an airplane. Both of them are hobbies, neither is mandatory. Both come with higher levels of uncontrollable risk than say, walking down the street or playing chess. But I am willing to accept those risks because I am a responsible person and I will absolutely control everything that I can and accept what I cannot. It makes my life happy, fun, and free.

[@christhearrowpilot3895]

Great analysis, simple, clear and east to understand.

[@nkawtg4]

Well said! If you use the 5 Whys technique for every accident/incident, you almost always come back to a human factor. Your brain is the key to safety.

[@KennethMillsTours]

Great quote ----- Safety Slips in Small Stages

[@mauricecayon8529]

Great video!!! I needed to hear that thank you for Sharing!!

[@raypaice7746]

Excellent video. You put all in an easy to understand perspective.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the feedback.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

One positive of being older - we usually don’t worry about fuel exhaustion as our bladders fill before our tanks empty . Even AOPA states that

[@cabforwardooo9983]

Extremely logical and I totally agree with you. I'm still not flying.

[@bradhanson4803]

Flying safer than driving still rather have my feet on the ground

[@cjmclean31]

Great video love the approach at the end

[@hamiltonrucker6182]

Who is doing your editing now? Looks great! Keep up the awesome content.

[@rogeraylstock3641]

Great video Charlie. Thanks for the data.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@DontMakeMomCry]

Love the nickelback vs eagles comparison. Nice quick drive-by....

[@jsmith1746]

Great video and good advice. I really miss general aviation, I haven't been around it in over 20 years now. But I really like seeing the better safety resources and information out there compared to when I was last involved in GA.

[@talkingbob]

Why not come back if you miss it?

[@davidwilliams4895]

That was an awesome video. I'm looking into getting my pilot lic, but 1st i want to learn everything about airplane before making this leap. Thanks again

[@mannodoceu]

Great video, man! Really good stuff

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@waqarsyed6641]

Great video thank you for sharing awesome attitude very positive very professionally done

[@dieselyeti]

One of the things I always tried to impress on students is to never exceed your own capabilities, or that of your airplane. This means having a safety mindset, which must be learned.

[@orvilleh.larson7581]

"Dirty Harry" Callahan said it best: "A man's gotta know his limitations!"

[@richarddelgado8913]

What an awesome and educational video. I can't fly no more due to health issues however, I used this method for myself which kept me safe while I flew. Here's what I uesd; Remember the 5 p's Pre Planning Prevents Poor Performance... Richard

[@orvilleh.larson7581]

I'm not a pilot, but even I know the saying: "There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. However, there are no old, bold pilots." You weren't a bold pilot, were you? That's why you're still alive.

[@stevenoxholm9370]

Great assessment of aviation risk and associated risk management. Thanks for the video.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@kentd4762]

Great discussion, sir! AVWeb with Paul Bertorelli is a great resource for any pilot wanting to know more about flying and perhaps some of the bigger issues in aviation. Love listening to Paul!

[@DocJu474]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@JohnCarrFitness]

You’re so well spoken. Great vid

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! I appreciate that and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@cn9936]

Why GA engines fail has always puzzled me but, I think a lot has to do with skipping on or failing to do proper maintenance. Great video!

[@theflyingcrewchief]

Some has to do with improper maintenance but mostly it has to do with reciprocating vs turbine engines. Reciprocating is cheaper but has lots of moving parts. Turbines have few moving parts but is more expensive.

[@scottfranco1962]

GA engines fail because of fuel starvation. Period. The workings of a typical GA engine with redundant mags means you would have to take a sledgehammer to the thing to stop it. Oil would be a factor, but most pilots rent, and the owners aren't stupid enough to let the oil sump run dry. The accident stats bear this out. Virtually all of the engine outs are fuel management issues.

[@thegamerguy56]

@@scottfranco1962 I seen a report about a bonanza that overran the runway due to magneto issues. The report stated that, assuming it wasn't caused during the wreck, one of the magnetos had a timing issue and was likely igniting the fuel too early during the compression stroke, which severely decreased the power output of the engine. The good mag became useless since ignition already happened earlier in the stroke. The pilot should have been able to detect this easily when seeing a rise in RPM when he isolated the good mag, and how using just the bad mag or both resulted in reduced RPM. The plane was at or a little above MTOW and didn't even get airborne before smashing into a hill at the end of the runway and killed one occupant while the other suffered serious spinal injuries. Allegedly the pilot was taking his friend on a fishing trip and likely didn't want to disappoint him since they'd been planning the trip for months. Could have contributed to his lack of a response to iffy RPMs, if he did in fact notice them.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@scottfranco1962 then I’m good to go because my bladder always fills up before my tanks go dry.

[@charlesculverhouse6336]

Well done my friend! Keep it going 🙏✝️👍🏻 i

[@benlundgren3760]

Good video. You definitely have the ability to decrease your probability of catastrophe.

[@ethanbarclay6292]

EXCELLENT approach

[@Viethist]

Good one !!! Thx

[@freddyfreeloader1200]

Well said on all. I’m the paranoid type going on 200 hours and you made me feel better.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad!

[@california.connection]

Looking into starting my PPL journey so this is a great video! QUESTION: What planes do you recommend as the safest for GA?

[@doranjaffas7351]

You have one of the if not the best Aviation video channels out there and I have seen too many of them frankly. I've been an aviator for over 37 years and in my opinion for what that's worth you are spot-on. There is a saying and I forget who said it but it stuck with me all these years.." aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous but to an even greater degree than the land or the sea is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness incapacity or neglect" . Another one I use that is mine..as far as I know is that while aviating " I am in a relaxed state of alertness ". I have been told by some that I truly respect that I am almost too " anal " about the maintenance on my arial steed. So be it. I am one who has had several engine mishaps shall we say that all but one were a mechanical issue. One was fuel mismanagement that lasted about three seconds but was enough to get my heart going as well as my passengers. None resulted in an unintended landing place but could have. Everyone no matter how much time they have is a student pilot every time they get in the airplane. Some of us have more experience but that doesn't make it any less true. Excellent job on this. Keep them coming.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks a lot, that's really nice of you. Good wisdom shared in this comment.

[@trevorwilliamblank]

Excellent video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much!

[@flyinandjammin]

Totally agree with your idea of a stupid vs. a smart decision. :)

[@elr2603]

You nailed it. Thx.

[@Mixturerich]

Great video. Thanks and shared.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@topofthegreen]

Very good video!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@philfrasier127]

Very good presentation.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.

[@gabyroberts9601]

Thank you very informative

[@bittnerbs]

Great video.

[@sammalone4988]

Charlie - another great video. My comment/question - is there data that compares GA x-country trip vs driving the same distance/ locations. So. comparing the safety data of flight vs drive between Dallas and Houston, for example.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks Sam. I think you might be able to find some data out there on the risk probability per mile driven in a vehicle, but it's kind of apples to oranges in a way. Especially considering the causes of aviation accidents coupled with the fact that there's not really a source of absolute truth on car or GA usage volume (i.e. miles or hours traveled). My guess is that GA is going to look way less safe than cars but just that number alone is going to be misleading because of what I described in this video.

[@tonyl9051]

Hello Charlie, love your videos. Just a question... Can you explain the difference between "Loss of control - In flight" and "Low altitude operation"? Based on your comments in the video, the latter would be more fitting. I might be confused here... thanks.

[@cessna177flyer3]

My definition: Low altitude operation is intentionally flying at cruise speeds (or greater) at low altitude where you are likely to encounter wires, towers, trees, terrain, etc. Low passes down the runway fall into this category. Loss of control results from unintentionally exceeding the critical angle of attack, which often happens in the traffic pattern. An egressive pull up from low altitude operation often leads to loss of control.

[@ryanmurphy4208]

Great video!

[@terrancestodolka4829]

Like your analysis on Flying safely, is risk reduction... Risk reduction is one of the most important aspects of flying, along with education training and upgrading pilot proficiency of flying skill sets with actual instructional time proficiency pilot checks.

[@JerimiahBaldwin]

Very well stated!!!

[@amiraghazadeh5820]

I think finding most common engine failures & some things that cause this failures not only in engine but also in some popular instruments of airplanes can help us to have a safe flight and intime servise airplane is most important thing in flight

[@sayitrightmedia7111]

Charlie … from a cinematographer friend… great content, great editing, great presentation (maybe slow down a tad… keep the energy but use a little “white space”) . Great stuff thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate the constructive feedback as well. Will try!

[@frankrosenbloom]

Good review. You may not be afraid, but with every bad bump I am sure my wings or tail are going to separate.

[@truthandfreedom885]

Well Done

[@flagmichael]

Not a pilot, but I worked as an avionics tech in GA (California and the Phoenix area) for 14 years. We lost an average of about one customer per year to flight accidents. All but one was avoidable, the result of pilot error. Failure to consider density altitude was big in the Phoenix area, and I had the misfortune to be the last person to touch a Comanche before it flew into a snowstorm with four souls aboard. The unavoidable one was a heartbreaker. A brand new Bonanza had an instructor and three students on board when the prop threw a blade on climbout, around 100 feet AGL.

[@roguesrt]

Solid video!

[@lasse3412]

Always when I flying im looking for fields to emergency land on and other procedures. Always in my mind and thats why I can enjoy my flight .

[@alk672]

I feel more and more that the real key to safety is picking the mission. People get in trouble by doing things they know they shouldn't be doing. A low-time rookie can be a much safer pilot flying an appropriate mission than a highly experienced pilot flying in conditions that are too challenging even for him. Remain realistic and conservative in picking your flights - and you'll be fine.

[@jeeeeeeees]

Great video :)

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@jasonMB999]

On my first flight I was too petrified to continue. I did anyway, with a fear of flying. But I'm doing my commercial and I have no idea how I could crash a plane as in every phase there are procedures and limits which if you respect, nothing is supposed to happen. Unless my engine failed with nowhere to land or i collided.

[@rickjones5068]

The fear drives some brave men!

[@richardgreen6857]

The odds of having a personal injury accident (or a fatality) are still higher in a motor vehicle on the roads, likely because of frequency of usage and attitude...the issue of "which is safer" is mostly about perception and all of the things you've pointed out Charlie. It is imperative that we as pilots accept responsibility for our passengers and the general public's safety when we fly...as an example of how things do go sideways; I've twice been in aircraft, flown by others, at night and into clouds. As I wasn't PIC in either case, my failing was not participating in the weather briefing and perhaps being the voice of reasonable discretion. On the plus side, I'm still here...however I'm rather distrustful of a lot of other aviators and their decision making.

[@john-zf1yb]

By the numbers I belive general aviation is 19 times more dangerous than driving per hour. I can’t post links cause utube will delete them, but if you look it up u can see the post.

[@profiveoh]

Just try to get life insurance and tell them you’re a pilot. That’ll tell you what the folks that really crunch the numbers know. Disclaimer: I’m a pilot

[@scottfranco1962]

The odds of having an accident are far higher in cars. The odds of surviving an accident in a car are also far higher than in aircraft. Sorry.

[@richardgreen6857]

@@john-zf1yb I'll concede on either one, but I, anecdotally, feel safer and am less threatened in an aircraft I'm flying than at any time I'm in a car...sadly I have to drive about 50,000 km annually.

[@orvilleh.larson7581]

@@scottfranco1962 If you're in your car and a malfunction occurs, you pull over to the curb and get out. If you're in your Cessna 172 and something goes haywire at 10,000 feet . . . well, it's a hell of a place for it to happen. . . .

[@Gamerealm976]

Nice

[@glennwatson]

As someone who's been in what was considered a major accident I can definitely say you can walk away without injury. My accident was just caused by my inexperience and lack of knowledge how to recover from the condition. I was flying my third solo in a helicopter.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing, Glenn, and I'm glad that you're okay.

[@rowdybroomstick6394]

Did you flare too soon on your auto? Did mast bump? Low G? What happened?

[@glennwatson]

@@rowdybroomstick6394 Partial dynamic rollover. Eg main rotors hit the ground but still was able to get it upright.

[@rickjones5068]

Was it a Robinson?

[@jtflypegasus]

Amen to that brother....J

[@genegolfus7339]

I like this video 1. because it is relatively short, 2 i like the data 3 i like the basic point,, if you go looking for trouble you will find it. SSSS Safety slips in small steps, , seems good, and every flight starts from zero, in safety it is not safe because the last flight ,, was good. Now actually there are a lot of questions still about , do you need to fly to there? Do you need to fly in the mountains? Should you? So that can lead to limiting your flying and that might be fine , or it might limit your flying.

[@walnut_trail_farm]

Great video! Can you do a follow up on how you protect yourself from safety slipping in small stages?

[@cessna177flyer3]

The DESIRE to stay safe is the single biggest factor. This leads to staying engaged and subscribing to channels like this one, studying accident reports and data, subscribing to AOPA and EAA and reading articles on flight training, receiving proper training in the aircraft you fly, flying along with highly experienced pilots, hangar flying, proactively reading regulations, and subscribing to aviation podcasts.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Well said Cessna 177! Couldn't agree more.

[@walnut_trail_farm]

I agree that desire to stay safe is important, but I don’t think it’s MOST important. I think complacency is the most dangerous element. And it is sinister, because it slowly creeps in. I think the way you fight it is an attitude of continuous improvement; always wanting to be better and better. This methodology is very common in manufacturing, medicine, and other arenas where even “small” defects or failures (.1%) aren’t acceptable.

[@cessna177flyer3]

@@walnut_trail_farm good points. I think we are saying the same thing "attitude of continuous improvement" and "desire to stay safe" are very similar. Complacency is the enemy.

[@dennisnbrown]

I know it’s old video but very relevant.

[@happyscrappy370]

Can you explain what you think happened to Glen de Vries?

[@matthewstuart6109]

Just curious, how many fatalities involve single pilot imc with a complex multi engine aircraft?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I linked the data source and models down in the description. AOPA also has a really good tool called the Nall Report. That might help.

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

I am a student pilot and I have noticed some of the school planes they have appears to have evidence of skimping on maintenance. This one 172 - 92V is really hard to start, It took like 5 or 6 attempts to get it started In 80 degrees F and I was the first one to fly it as it seems no one else want to fly it. This is a carb model. During flight the door popped open twice. The panel on the aircraft was clean and the paint was in good conditions. Radio's and avionics - instruments worked fine. The engine ran smooth once it started and passed the mag check. It's just so darn hard to start and the door does not stay shut. Also the luggage compartment locks but is not flush against the aircraft. And lastly the aircraft seemed to fly a bit like a pig. More play in the controls during taxie and flying. Seemed to take longer on the ground roll before I could rotate and it just did not handle as well as other 172 aircraft. So what do you think is going on with the schools. Another aircraft I flew, the tire on the left main did not look so great.

[@johnpro2847]

is it safe to run a Rotax912 , 600 hours over TBO recommendation ?

[@alfredoaraujo7756]

Smart pilot and smart advise

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@MarekKnappe]

100% agree :)

[@Superxpninja]

Maintenance is no joke. I’m very fortunate to have a great relationship with my IA.