Fixed Wing or Rotary?
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Johannesburg
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Fixed Wing or Rotary?
I know this may seem a dumb question and I may get flamed to the center of the earth - but here goes anyway.
10 years ago I had my PPL, night rating, +- 200 hours, and shares in a 172 and 210T. I flew purely for pleasure and the odd business trip.
In one month a "grade 1" instructor from the DCA wrote my 172 off on final approach to Lanseria, a close friend pranged the KingAir he was piloting into the sea off Bazaruto, and my partner in the 210 bent the prop in Botswana.
Having three small children, and seeing my friends devastated family at his funeral, I copped out and decided, as I did not need to fly, I would not fly in a light aircraft until my children were old enough to support themselves through a similar accident involving me.
That has never lessened my passion for aviation.
I am about ready to start again. What is the general consensus - which is the safer fixed wing or rotary? Does anyone Have statistics?
I know that a pilot makes his/her own luck - and I always felt that I was that kind of pilot, however S**T happens.
Any advice - or scorn - would be really appreciated
10 years ago I had my PPL, night rating, +- 200 hours, and shares in a 172 and 210T. I flew purely for pleasure and the odd business trip.
In one month a "grade 1" instructor from the DCA wrote my 172 off on final approach to Lanseria, a close friend pranged the KingAir he was piloting into the sea off Bazaruto, and my partner in the 210 bent the prop in Botswana.
Having three small children, and seeing my friends devastated family at his funeral, I copped out and decided, as I did not need to fly, I would not fly in a light aircraft until my children were old enough to support themselves through a similar accident involving me.
That has never lessened my passion for aviation.
I am about ready to start again. What is the general consensus - which is the safer fixed wing or rotary? Does anyone Have statistics?
I know that a pilot makes his/her own luck - and I always felt that I was that kind of pilot, however S**T happens.
Any advice - or scorn - would be really appreciated
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ITALY
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My advice is not to look at safety statistics before taking such a decision 
Statistics may say fixed wing is safer... or rotary wing is safer (i don't know) but it doesn't mean you are totally safe from accidents.
Statistics say that flying planes is much safer than driving cars... but a friend of mine died in a car accident some years ago, and another friend of mine is a professional pilot and has been flying for 15 years without accidents
Statistics may say fixed wing is safer... or rotary wing is safer (i don't know) but it doesn't mean you are totally safe from accidents.
Statistics say that flying planes is much safer than driving cars... but a friend of mine died in a car accident some years ago, and another friend of mine is a professional pilot and has been flying for 15 years without accidents
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Aircraft, be they aeroplanes or helicopters,are not themselves unsafe. In the hands of someone with an incorrect or inappropriate attitude, inadequate training or poor airmanship - they are potentially lethal.
Statistics are no way to decide which is more dangerous or potentially unsafe. They will both bite given lack of attention to detail.
I fly both. I am happy to say that after some 31 years as a Pilot, neither have proven to be more unsafe than the other.
As I say - misbehave - and they will both bite. What statistics do show though, is that 9 times out of 10, it's Pilot error. Nuff said.
Statistics are no way to decide which is more dangerous or potentially unsafe. They will both bite given lack of attention to detail.
I fly both. I am happy to say that after some 31 years as a Pilot, neither have proven to be more unsafe than the other.
As I say - misbehave - and they will both bite. What statistics do show though, is that 9 times out of 10, it's Pilot error. Nuff said.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Well said, Jet Park!
That about sums it up really. I know a guy in his late 60's flying rotary who has been at it for ages, and I knew a guy who had just got his comm and was killed in a crash.........
Nuff sed!
That about sums it up really. I know a guy in his late 60's flying rotary who has been at it for ages, and I knew a guy who had just got his comm and was killed in a crash.........
Nuff sed!
