Whilst I agree that GA safety statistics ( understandably) fall way behind Commercial aviation is it not possible that your statement is a bit severe? Certainly here in Ireland the skies aren't crowded with GA aircraft and in my limited experience ATC does a great job in communications with GA pilots.

What's that you said about Ireland? Spoke a bit soon there Anthony... :wacko: :blink:

http://www.rte.ie/ne...in-donegal.html

is it not possible that your statement is a bit severe? Certainly here in Ireland the skies aren't crowded with GA aircraft and in my limited experience ATC does a great job in communications with GA pilots.

 

You should look at the DFW sectional and count the number of airports in the 50 mile radius of DFW. Its probably somewhere between 75-100 airports. Big and small. And the Class B around DFW puts many of these aircrafts flying bellow 2500 feet. and on a good weather Saturday.... it is very crowded. Trust me.

Hi Sidh.

 

Where in India do you fly? My flight instructor was in Bangalore (he works for the same firm as I do and he was assinged to a long term project there) and wanted to rent an aircraft He finally found an FBO/Flying club... but they would not let him fly Solo. The man has over 4000 hrs in his log book. And they had 1 rickety old GA aircraft for rental.

 

BTW, When I was in Chennai I read an editorial written by a Pilot objecting to a proposed new airport in Chennai. I couldn't believe what I was reading. This Pilot went on to say how if the airpspace got crowded it would be dangerous for commerical aviation. The silly News paper ("The Hindu") even let that bloke write and publish such drivel.

 

India badly needs aviation schools and airport. Chennai has I believe just two airports. One is the MAA (Chennai Intl) and then the other one is the IAF (Air force) at Tambaram. Thats it... what crowded airspace was that bloke talking about? Its insanity. So many Indian students either have to come to the US or go to Australia and spend a fortune to get a commercial license. They may as well have small airports and flying schools in India. Not sure whey the idiots (Many Pilots) in India object to this.. I don't understand their motives behind it.

 

Manny

 

Manny,

Traffic only comes from Flying schools that are located near commercially used airports. However most of the schools in India are apart from them.. Even in cross country flights distance is fairly distribuited or the cross country flights are at an Airport with low traffic. Here in New Delhi GA is prohibited before there was Delhi flying club which now has been closed due to heavy commercial Traffic & Anti-9/11 Influence

What's that you said about Ireland? Spoke a bit soon there Anthony...

 

Tempted fate there I think.............poor guy.

 

You should look at the DFW sectional and count the number of airports in the 50 mile radius of DFW. Its probably somewhere between 75-100 airports. Big and small. And the Class B around DFW puts many of these aircrafts flying bellow 2500 feet. and on a good weather Saturday.... it is very crowded. Trust me.

 

Well that is crowded, I doubt I would be comfortable flying in that soup TBH, pilot or passenger.

Hello everyone,

 

After reading through all the posts I decided my next course of action is plain (no pun intended) and simple, to get in the air. Although I'm very scared, I can clearly identify that my fear would be purely internal, and in no way pose any type of situation to other pax or flight crew.

 

This brings me to my next question, after reading, I'm on the fence between taking a introductory GA flight and using that same money to take a commercial flight for my next family visit in place of driving.

 

I would enjoy the convenience of being able to drive down to Paine, and quickly get in the air. Along with the unique perspective of VFR in general. Little security, little hassle.

 

On the other hand though, with the security hassle aside, it seems as though I might enjoy a environment where I have a lot of (simulation) experience. I don't fly a lot of VFR in simulation, so I might not know what's "normal" and what's not.

 

In an IFR commercial flight, I may be able to tell myself "Ok positive rate, so that funny sound I'm hearing now is the gear coming up", well, I guess that's a poor example since it's pretty basic, but I hope you get my meaning.

 

I would be flying into the ZAU airspace, which I know like the back of hand. I don't know how much that will help me from a pax perspective, but it may be comforting. I'm also aware in a GA flight, the pilot would be right next to my side to answer any of my questions.

 

Though I may not join the ranks of Top Gun anytime soon, I don't want any future opportunity to slip away because I cant get on a plane, so that makes me think to make my first intro flight in the environment I would use it the most, commercial.

 

Suggestions?

 

Thank you,

Steven

here's a "small accident" in general aviation for you, yikes!!

here's a "small accident" in general aviation for you, yikes!!

 

 

I'd be more inclined to focus on the positive.

 

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I'd be more inclined to focus on the positive.

 

 

That was a awesome video, thank you.

Steven