Quote:
Originally Posted by 2StgTurbine
Even if that situation did result in a crash, that does not mean you would have died, so you can't use that to prove your point that a nonprofessional flying alone in a VLJ is safer than driving.
I think you can be a safe, competent, risk averse, level headed VLJ driver who does not fly professionally. I don't think the skies were limited to only professional pilots. I think the approach to Training and Time Building is the key, coupled with a personal commitment to adhere to a level of personal standards that go well beyond that of the FAA, Insurance Companies and even some Part 135 operators.
Just witnessed a rear end on the freeway this morning, yet again. A chronic tailgater flew directly into the back of another vehicle, violating my State's Vehicle Code in the process. The absolute value of collisions among vehicles relative to the absolute value of aircraft accidents (both air and ground combined) are not even remotely comparable. I won't even try to argue that. The statistical probability (I'm talking real Mathematics, as opposed to personal opinion) for being in an aircraft accident (both ground and air combined) are astronomically different. Again, I won't argue them.
About 1:1,200,000 for an airplane crash. About 1:4,400 for a car crash. That's a 272% increase in Probability. Mathematically speaking, void of any real meaningful comparison. What's more is that it is actually getting worse on the roads and increasingly better in the air. So, we can expect the differential in P(x)/P(y) to increase with T(time), as more DMV offices across the country continue to call their Driver's Test a valid test of knowledge as opposed to the IQ test that it is.
I just want to be safe in the sky, reducing risk wherever and whenever I can. If I need to train like a Professional in order to accomplish that level of competence, then so be it. I'm willing to do what it takes to reach competence and then to maintain it for the next 20-25 years. Then, I'll switch over the NetJets and let them fly me around like an old geezer. Come on, laugh - it was funny.
Seriously, thank you for your input!