Now we don't hear of many probably due to the transition to RA type aircraft.
Not so, all RAOz accidents are reportable, and the proportion that go unreported is probably no different to the GA accidents that went unreported over the years.
Indeed, with RAOz statistics now becoming big enough to be meaningful, it would seem that the overall accident rates of RAOz aircraft operations is a little better than the bottom end of GA. Don't forget that a very significant proportion of pilots flying RAOz aircraft hold or have held a conventional PPL or higher license. There is no shortage of CPL/ATPL holder and ex-military types flying RAOz aircraft.
However private flying was decidedly unsafe with CIFT a predominate factor in accidents
Again, not so. In the statistical category in which private GA is included, there have only been minor improvements over the years, nothing to match the improvements in the US, for example. Mostly, this can be attributed to the collapse in GA hours (have a look at the fuel sales).
CFIT has never been a major factor in private operations, but GA UCFIT, from various cause certainly has ---- indeed, not limited to private operations or PPLs.
There is one section where there does seem to have been some improvement, weather related accidents, VMC into IMC and uncontrolled flight into terrain. I would like to attribute this to the PIFR rating, and not just on the basis of pilots who have a PIFR, but pilots who have done some of the training, and discovered just how short their life is going to be, if they blunder into IMC, without training and currency. However, I have not completed a detailed study, it is just an impression, looking at the raw data.
Perhaps needless to say, CASA have managed to bugger up the PIFR, by making the recency requirements hard limits, like the normal CIR, the whole intent of the PIFR was some flexibility, and to leave it to the PIC and personal responsibility, which seems to have worked very well. Pilots, are not by nature, suicidally stupid.
But trust CASA to ignore the whole philosophy of a successful program, all in the quest for strict prescription, because, in their view, pilots cannot be trusted, despite the evident success of the PIFR.
Tootle pip!!