is air travel safe

7/30/2019 Is Air Travel Safe

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The airlines must manage what are arguably themost severe travel risks. If the airlines screw up,the consequences can be disastrous and deadly.

Lets take a look at the types of risks the airlinesmust manage.

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Every pilot must meet strict knowledge and skillrequirements before the Aviation Administration of thecountry will issue him/her a pilots license.

In addition to the AA requirements, which are minimumrequirements for the pilot to act as pilot in command ofthe aircraft, each airline has significant experience

requirements for a pilot to be hired. Once hired by an airline, the pilot must serve an

apprenticeship as co-pilot, before being considered forthe position of Captain.

Every airline pilot must undergo periodic flight/simulatorchecks to assure his/her continued competence.


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Mechanical Failure:

Every aircraft, airliners included, undergoesmandated periodic inspections.

The inspections are based on both flight time andcalendar time.

Engines and other components have life limits,which means they are periodically replaced.

Mechanical failure is a risk that the airlinesmanage, so that risk is low.


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Air Traffic Control System:

Our air traffic control system is operated by the AA. Air traffic controllers have the responsibility to

separate air traffic make sure two aircraft do notcollide with each other and they work in an intenseenvironment.

While the airlines have no direct control over the airtraffic control system, they have input into themanagement of the risk because the pilot incommand of the aircraft, the Captain of the airliner,is the final authority as to the safe operation of the

flight. There has not been a mid-air collision involving an

airliner and causing death or injury since 1986. The risk is managed, and the risk is low.


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Weather:

The technology available to monitor and forecastweather all over the world is so advanced, thatweather related accidents are rare today.

Severe weather can be avoided by advanceplanning, and by circumnavigation in flight.

However, some weather events, such as clear airturbulence, simply cannot be foreseen.

The risk is managed, but the risk is alsounforeseeable to a small extent.


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Terrorism:

The risk is managed by the screening of passengers. However, passenger screening in the United States (and

most other countries) is distressingly inadequate.

The gold standard for passenger screening seems to bethe so-called Israeli model.

Although Israel is a declared target of the radical Muslimterrorist world, El Al (the national airline of Israel) has areputation as the most secure airline in the world.

It should be noted that of all the risks that accompany airtravel, terrorism is the only one over which the

passenger does in fact have some control -- everypassenger has a responsibility to report suspiciouspeople and suspicious activity at the airport.


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The risks of air travel are well managed bythe airlines.

According to the U.S. Bureau ofTransportation Statistics, every year there arefar more fatalities from cars, from trains, andeven from recreational boating than from airtravel.

Hence, we conclude that air travel is safe ifthe above risks can be adequately managed.


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is air travel safe

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