If you saw an accident at the Daytona Speedway on television, that would not make you afraid to drive your car. Likewise, the accident Thursday in Minnesota
should not make you afraid to fly on an airliner. Here's why.
I tell anxious fliers in advance to ignore all accidents that involve military, business, private flying as well as accidents in countries they don't travel to. What happens there is not relevant to travel in the U.S. with an long-established airline where pilots are backed by a union when refusing to compromises safety.
Business pilots don't have such backing and may be pressured by executives on-board to fly in unsuitable weather to get to an important meeting.
Few pilots fly business operations by choice. Though most business pilots are fully capable, some are working to become qualified for an airline job, and some have been rejected by airlines.
In some business aviation operations, the pilot in charge is the owner and pilots who work for the owner will not report safety violations. Since airlines are not a close-knit group, safety issues can be reported by other pilots.
Airline pilots have instant access to a licensed dispatcher monitoring the flight who can support sound decision-making when weather conditions change. Business operations don't always have that.
Though business jet aviation has a pretty good safety record overall, it is not easy to determine is how safety-oriented a particular operation is. Though safety varies, every operation claims the highest standards and practices.
How can you protect yourself if your flying involves business aviation? Most business accidents are weather-related. Talk to your pilots and learn how weather is measured. Learn what weather criteria is required for landing. Check the forecast aviation weather yourself. Determine the forecast ceiling and visibility. If your destination is not a major airport, check if the airport has an ILS landing system. With ILS, if the expected ceiling is less than 200 feet and visibility less than 1/4 mile, consider canceling the trip. Without ILS, consider canceling unless the ceiling is 500 feet and visibility one mile or better.
If flying causes you anxiety, information of dealing with this issue is available at http://www.fearofflying.com
I tell anxious fliers in advance to ignore all accidents that involve military, business, private flying as well as accidents in countries they don't travel to. What happens there is not relevant to travel in the U.S. with an long-established airline where pilots are backed by a union when refusing to compromises safety.
Business pilots don't have such backing and may be pressured by executives on-board to fly in unsuitable weather to get to an important meeting.
Few pilots fly business operations by choice. Though most business pilots are fully capable, some are working to become qualified for an airline job, and some have been rejected by airlines.
In some business aviation operations, the pilot in charge is the owner and pilots who work for the owner will not report safety violations. Since airlines are not a close-knit group, safety issues can be reported by other pilots.
Airline pilots have instant access to a licensed dispatcher monitoring the flight who can support sound decision-making when weather conditions change. Business operations don't always have that.
Though business jet aviation has a pretty good safety record overall, it is not easy to determine is how safety-oriented a particular operation is. Though safety varies, every operation claims the highest standards and practices.
How can you protect yourself if your flying involves business aviation? Most business accidents are weather-related. Talk to your pilots and learn how weather is measured. Learn what weather criteria is required for landing. Check the forecast aviation weather yourself. Determine the forecast ceiling and visibility. If your destination is not a major airport, check if the airport has an ILS landing system. With ILS, if the expected ceiling is less than 200 feet and visibility less than 1/4 mile, consider canceling the trip. Without ILS, consider canceling unless the ceiling is 500 feet and visibility one mile or better.
If flying causes you anxiety, information of dealing with this issue is available at http://www.fearofflying.com
