Scudrunners

What do you people attribute the improvement in aviation safety to over the many decades since statistics were kept.


In my opinion it is the advancement in aircraft design and the reliability of modern engines both piston and turbine.


Some think it is better flight training.


So which of the two do you think have done [color=#ff0000]more[/color] for the accident reductions over the decades?

The increased oversight from the regulators following all those accidents. And this is no sarcasm. Let's be honest, the plane types that are usually involved in accidents are still flying around. But shutting down shady operators eg flying VFR in IMC icing conditions and the accompanied change in pilot mentality (less of a "let's be a hero" more of a "should we do this") and an increased fear of transport seems to work.

As with any accident there are always multiple factors.

Better aircraft reliability or redundant systems, better training, regulatory oversite all have contributed to lowering the accident rate.

Better reliability, reduced workload through automation/autopilot, improved navigation, improved aircraft performance.

Forgot to add: better weather reporting/forecasting, and innovations such as GPWS/TAWS and TCAS.


As far as flight training goes, not sure how much of a difference ab initio has made to the accident rate,  but improved simulator training at the airline level has certainly helped.

[size=3]It is an interesting topic and certainly can open the doors for a lot of speculation and debate. The one thing I find, and yes there are always exceptions, but the pilot professional groups (north america and europe) have made the statement that CFIT is under control and is fast dropping off the radar in commercial aviation. Their biggest concern now is the loss of stick and rudder skills due to automation [font=Verdana] How does one address that, especially with the possibility in the not too distant future of pilots becoming redundant. [/font][/size]



[size=3]You can regulate all you want but it's the on going education that will finally remove the dinosaurs and push push in the bush attitude. [/size]