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Safe Enough

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • "Safe" in general aviation is a subjective concept and goal, not an absolute measure, varying based on individual pilot skill, comfort, and their personal risk-versus-reward assessment.
  • What one pilot considers a "bold" operation (e.g., IMC over mountains at night) another might deem routine, highlighting the highly individual nature of risk perception.
  • Once inherent risks are accepted, responsible pilots must actively seek and implement strategies to mitigate those risks, thereby moving operations from "safe enough" closer to "absolutely safe."
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Many of my previous Remarksmhave touched on what’s safe in general aviation, but that’s a conversation worth continuing. Long ago I concluded that “safe” is a concept and a goal, not a measure. What’s to say that one activity is safe but another is not? It’s mostly just relative to the skill and comfort of each individual pilot.

Many non-pilots think that “small planes” aren’t safe. Are they? What’s the measure? Obviously, you think that flying is safe or you wouldn’t be reading this. But, let’s dig further.

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