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Ethiopian Airline Crash

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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW	Ethiopian Airline Crash	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2814 (01/25/10 13:02:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None African airlines have a terrible safety record. They are short of money. Good pilots and mechanics migrate elsewhere to airlines that pay better. It's unfortunate, but that's how it is. Air Afrique was a good airline safety-wise (service was terrible), but they are history. All this means that the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane doesn't mean much, if anything, about airline safety elsewhere.
Azania		#1	[-]
Posts: 1 (02/20/10 14:28:36) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dear Capt Tom I think your statement about African airlines is a generalization. I'm South African. South African Airlines has been operating for decades and has had only 1 fatal accident. It has a very good safety record. I understand that you're trying to ease any concerns people may have, but it's a very feeble attempt. Instead, explain to us why this accident occurred and what's being done to improve safety in future. Also, if you want to criticize African airline safety records, then be specific about the airlines you think are unsafe - that would be far more informative and useful for those who want to know which airlines to avoid. By the way, I am in no way associated with South African Airlines. I am merely patriotic and informed. I also suffer from a fear of flying, so I understand what kind of information is useful for me and what is not. This info, provided by you, was not useful. Unfortunately it just makes you sound like an ignorant American. That said, I applaud you for the SOAR program - it's a brilliant concept and I'm sure many people have benefited from it. Regards Azania
Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW		#2	[-]
Posts: 2906 (02/21/10 09:54:26) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks, Azania, I should have mentioned SAA as a separate situation. They are a unique airline in a unique country. But, in general, airline flying in Africa is in sad shape. Consider this: the global accident rate in 2009 was 0.71.Africa had an accident rate of 9.94, once again the worst rate of the world. African carriers are 2% of global traffic, but 26% of global western-built jet hull losses. Source: http://media-newswire.com/release_1112769.html For information on specific airlines, see www.airsafe.com Last Edited By: Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW 02/22/10 08:39:39. Edited 2 times.

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Note from Capt. Tom

I know everyone worries about weather, but pilots really do not worry about it. We simply - instead of worrying about it - completely prepare for it. Before going to the plane, we review the weather at the destination. If it is not 100% sure to be within legal limits when we arrive at the destination, we must specify an alternate airport in our planning documents, and load on plenty of fuel for going to the destination airport, and then if need be, diverting to the alternate airport.

The legal limits are conservative. Even when weather is slightly outside the legal limits, any airline pilot could still land safely. You can rely on the captain never to land when the weather is not legal, and legality limits are reached prior to safety limits.

If you are still anxious, call me and we can talk it over. I'm at 877 332-7359 from 10 AM until 7 PM Eastern time.

For effective help, even if you are flying in a day or two, sign up now at www.fearofflying.com/fasttrack and call me when you finish Clip 9 so I can make sure you are all set.

Using Weather Information

If you enter your ZIP Code or City at the top of the weather presentation, it will give you weather for your area. Or, you can enter your destination ZIP Code or City.

Click on the "LOCAL RADAR" button to see whether or not there are thunder-
storms. Keep in mind, however, that we can either fly above the storms when cruising or fly through gaps between storms. During landing, we cannot fly above them, but fly through gaps, or through the area of the storms where the turbulence is least.

Turbulence, though it may cause anxiety, does not mean anything is wrong. Turbulence does not mean danger. The plane can handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out.

Though flying in turbulence is safe, it doesn't feel safe. And here is where the SOAR programs come in. We can help you feel as safe when you fly as you actually are.

You can see these programs at www.fearofflying.com/store.

For questions on aviation or the psychology of aerophobia, click here to e-mail Capt. Tom Bunn, MSW, LCSW.

To contact the SOAR business office (media contacts, brochures, replacement tapes, billing, shipping), click here to e-mail Lisa Hauptner, MS.