How safe are our skies?

safetywatch · Post by **safetywatch** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:55 pm

How safe are our skies?
An investigation by The Toronto Star, The Hamilton Spectator and The Record of Waterloo Region found an airline safety system straining at the seams.

The stories begin on Saturday and will continue on Monday.

The Toronto Star is on line at http://www.thestar.com

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:02 pm

The skies are safe as houses - its the airplanes that are dangerous.

Don't read newspapers, they will only upset you. They are, however, very useful for wrapping fish.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:25 am

xsbank wrote:The skies are safe as houses - its the airplanes that are dangerous.

A parkinglot full of [parked] cars is as safe as mojave desert parked with planes...

It's the drivers behind the wheel that are dangerous.

safetywatch · Post by **safetywatch** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 3:01 am

The full story is at:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 8332188492

The article is very long but very comprehensive. Also check out the other related stories on the same web page. Here is a short excerpt:

The investigation found a safety system straining at the seams. Experts — pilots, mechanics, airline workers and people who study aviation data — warn significant changes must be made to prevent a major catastrophe.

Among other findings:

About twice a day in Canada, pilots or air traffic controllers make mistakes that could cause accidents, including putting two planes on the same runway at the same time, navigational errors, changing altitudes without permission or making unsafe takeoffs and landings.

Mechanical malfunctions, from engine fires to parts falling off in mid-flight, have risen steadily from 2000 to 2004.

Smaller aircraft, including planes, gliders and helicopters, are also involved in "near misses," both with other small planes and commercial airplanes heading in and out of increasingly crowded airspace above major airports.

"There will be a serious accident. It's just a matter of time," warns veteran aviator Ken Green, who retired in March after a 33-year career as a commercial airline pilot with Air Canada. His concerns are echoed by other aviation experts.

Captain Esq. · Post by **Captain Esq.** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 3:49 am

safetywatch wrote: "There will be a serious accident. It's just a matter of time," warns veteran aviator Ken Green, who retired in March after a 33-year career as a commercial airline pilot with Air Canada. His concerns are echoed by other aviation experts.[/i]

That's such a ridiculous comment that is obviously meant to scare a general public that seems to have an everpresent fear of flying, coupled with a presumption that they know what is and what isn't safe in regards to aviation.

I think its pretty safe to say that its just a matter of time before a major air disaster will one day occur. Be it tomorrow, or 50 years from now. They have happened, and will probably occur infrequently into the future as long as airplanes are used. We don't need some so-called pro to tell us that! Will anyone quote me if I say that any of the following will certainly occur, its just a matter of time?:

A major train-wreck; a major contamination of the ocean; a cruise ship will catch on fire; a huge tsunami will hit; a gargantuan earthquake will shake up California; a forest fire that knocks out 500000 hectares of old growth; an assassination of a world leader; etc., etc... you get my point. I guess when quality news stories get few and far between, resort to the ol' "Are the Skies as Safe as You Think They Are?" story. That the ol' failsafe when it comes to keeping the public nice and scared. Idiots. My 2C.

Captain Esq.

corporate joe · Post by **corporate joe** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 5:32 am

Fear sells newspapers and that's what they're trying to do.

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 6:13 am

xsbank wrote: They are, however, very useful for wrapping fish.

Northern Skies · Post by **Northern Skies** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 8:03 am

Considering the sensationalist nature of these poorly written and biased papers, I wouldn't help this reporter. No good will come of it.

Safetywatch, aviation in general has far more examples of professionalism and dedication to safety than most other industries. Why don't you do a story on the road system? Now there's something that's deadly.

TOGA Descent · Post by **TOGA Descent** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:42 am

Fly through China's airspace just once - and if you survive it (I'm joking a little, but also kind of serious) - you'll immediatly realize how safe the skies over Canada and the US really are.

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:49 am

Cure the problems of the 401 and maybe resistent infections in Ontario hospitals, and then get back to us.

185_guy · Post by **185_guy** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:49 pm

Experts — pilots, mechanics, airline workers

Apollo · Post by **Apollo** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 1:56 pm

just curious wrote:Cure the problems of the 401 and maybe resistent infections in Ontario hospitals, and then get back to us.

amen to that. I got a nasty case of superstaph after I got my appendix removed at NYG.

Springbok 2 · Post by **Springbok 2** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:49 pm

African airspace is known to be some of the most dangerous in the world. At least it was 2 years ago when an African aviation magazine (African Pilot) did an extensive survey that showed just how dangerous the African skies were. Mostly due to the lack of effective ATC and then where they do have ATC, it is sub standard. Also the numerous war zones kind of make things a little more complicated.

North America gets a perfect 10 in comparison.

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:36 pm

There is nothing wrong with our industry. Everything is perfect!

How safe are our skies?

How safe are our skies?

The full story

Re: The full story