Scheduled passenger airlines in the U.S. have achieved an incredible level of safety. Domestic passenger operations under FAR Part 121 have achieved an unheard-of record: a near-zero fatality rate since 2010. Most of us presume general aviation operations under Part 91 never can approach this level of safety without draconian over-regulation. And most of us may be correct. It was never about the regulations, of course.
The airlines got to where they are by managing risk on a much larger scale than the typical general aviation pilot. Standard procedures, training and decision-making are well-defined in the airline world. And there are at least two pilots minding the store. Yes, some of that is required by regulation and, yes, history has shown the regulated tend to cut corners if fewer rules exist. But through well-established risk mitigation practices, even typical GA pilots can achieve the same levels of safety.
