About this user
I am a private pilot striving for instrument rating, and then maybe get my commercial and atp licenses.
Planes are not dangerous, only a few planes have downed and killed people due to mechanical failures (even that happened due to technician errors and very very occasionally engineering - like the swiss air 111).
98 percent of accidents happen due to pilot errors - inexperienced pilots who think flying a plane is like driving a car.
I want FAA to impose more strict rules and training for pilots whether General Aviation or Commercial. SAFETY is paramount.
Bad weather at destination? Don't fly
Not multi-engine rated? Don't fly because if one of the engines go out, you can stall and crash
Not experienced to fly in uneven terrain (mountains)? Don't fly because Density Altitude conditions severly impede small plane's service ceiling.
Have that urge to pull on the stick (to pitch up - thinking you are gaining altitude during a stall)? DON"T FLY!
All crashes generally happen at low altitudes because high altitudes above the clouds don't have awkward weather..Sure there is more radiation up there, but weather wise, its quiet there. At low altitudes, almost all accidents are preventable if pilots were aware of false horizons, shear winds at landing airport, etc.
I am going to petition FAA along with millions of others including families of deceased to force commuters to hire EXPERIENCED pilots (at least 1500 hours of flight and quality instruction and certification under the belt). I would also like FAA to install BRS systems in all light aircraft (ballistic parachute system).
OH ANOTHER THING: THE STARTING SALARIES OF PILOTS IS PATHETIC: EVEN A CAB OR BUS DRIVER MAKES MORE PAY THAN THAT. Pilots are overworked and really underpaid that some stock shelves as a part-time job!
Flying a complex multi-million dollar machine is no easy matter so I would like to petition to FAA to give starting pilots a decent salary wage: like 50000/yr (or $24/hr if hourly).
In almost all other countries outside the US, pilots get paid what they deserve...only here, the land where the 1st plane flew...what a tragedy in itself!!! I want to see more first officers and copilots of commercial commuter planes to form a union to force the management to pay them more for their hardwork, dedication, intelligence and risk-taking.
A McDonalds worker makes more than $16000 (starting salary of pilots for some regional airlines)...come on how much worse can it get?
------ WARNING TO ANYONE WITH AN AIRLINE PILOT CAREER AMBITION-----
This was once a glamourous job, not anymore. Airlines have slashed pilot pay, days off, hotel quality and location, uniform expenses, medical and dental plans, and vacation time. Unless the regional carriers radically increase the starting pay ($45,000 or more) it is not worth your time and money for training. That is unless you want to be on food stamps, carry around food on a 4 or 5 day trip, sleep at the airport in operations or a crash pad, and hope you will have enough to pay your bills. If this were not enough, your management will still insist you make too much money. Your experience will never be valued and people that might have a GED will have control over your schedule. This is the reality and some pilots eventually get out of flying all together! And others get some position at the airline that doesn't involve "flying the line" because they cannot hack it anymore. This is about as honest an answer you are ever going to get. They say pilots complain too much. There is a reason for that. Don't be sold on the notion that you are going to make $100,000/yr and get 15 days off a month. Finally, watch PBS's Frontline episode "Flying Cheap." I once heard a fellow pilot say, "If you love flying, do it as a hobby so you will still love it."
Age
45
Country
United States
Interests
Flying aircraft: I like them all: piston single, multi-prop, turbo-prop, jet engines...and i don't like military, just the commercial airplanes.
