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The accident rate for general aviation accidents (that is, all flying other than airlines,
major cargo and military) has dropped dramatically over the past 50 years. Pilots are
well trained and must take a refresher test, called a “flight review”, every two years
to maintain their flying privileges. In addition, their aircraft must be inspected
every year or every 100 hours of flying, whichever comes first.
Out of 24 MILLION flight hours in 2006, for instance, there were fewer than 1,500 accidents
and 488 deaths, or one death for approximately every 50,000 flight hours. The most experienced
pilots rarely have more than 30,000 hours in their lifetimes.
Put another way, there is a 1 in 11 million chance of dying in an airplane accident.
Compare that to a one in 280,000 chance of being hit by lightning or one in 2 million chance
of dying when falling out of bed. As with any endeavor, there is some risk in flying, but
it is no greater than many other types of recreation and is reduced greatly by high safety
standards and proper preparation.
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