After two general aviation floatplanes collided in Alaska, the New York Times published comparisons between airlines and general aviation. Genav, they say, “…is still more dangerous than commercial air travel.”

I agree, but believe it should be stated that general aviation is not as safe as (rather than more dangerous than), the airlines. That will probably never change.

The same is true in ground transportation. When the general population owns and operates personal vehicles they are not—repeat, not—as safe as when they ride Greyhound busses. Nor will they ever be.

We don’t make a big deal about Greyhound being safer than private cars, but do make a big deal about airlines being safer than private aircraft.

Simply put, we want the freedom to drive and fly ourselves.

(I have piloted a few thousand hours in genav aircraft. My biggest injury occurred the day I scratched my hand on the corner of a flap while doing a preflight. I had to wear a bandage on my hand for two days. My worst car injury required stitches.)

Many of our airports serve—and even thrive on—the freedoms of general aviation.

BTW—both general aviation and private automobiles have become safer over decades.

Now for a complete change of pace…

My long time and hardworking media friend— Pat Luebke —came up with a great plan to honor the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) of WW II.

Pat shared the idea with Dr Peggy Chabrian, another longtime friend and hard working aviator who founded Women In Aviation International ( WAI). The Women Military Aviators, Inc.—who refer to the WASP as their “foresisters”—is also supporting HonorTheWASP by visiting, decorating, and perhaps adding flowers to WASP burial sites over Memorial Day weekend. Sounds like a great idea to me.

A database of WASP gravesites, including Google maps to their locations, may be found at: https://www.wai-crc.com/honor-the-wasp.

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