NTSB numbers
I am a numbers guy in trying to assess risk. I know if I don't fly in bad weather, don't fly at night, don't run out of fuel, and don't buzz anyone, I have cut the risk of flying down by a large percentage.
The NTSB numbers have been out for a bit and they are puzzling to me. I would think that there are more RV's and all experimental airplanes flown by non-builders than builders. Without knowing that, it is hard to get anything from the data. If there are fewer builder-owners and we still make up 50%, we need to figure out what is going on.
Greg, what you said about the builder knowing the plane better is the reason I am building rather than buying. I am a very low time pilot so I wanted to lower the risk more by learning everything about the plane so I would have the chance of understand the mechanics of the problem and possibly be able to figure out a quick fix. If I remember the statistics, the phase 1 period has the most risk which would be expected, so maybe my whole thought process is flawed.
The one thing that I have learned from the numbers is almost all crashes could be survivable if you stay in control of the plane. If you stall and go in upside down, it?s curtains. That was also driven home by my flight instructor years ago. I have to admit, after spending all the time on a build, a controlled crash rather than taking a shot at a perfect landing place ?just over there?, might be tempting, but that is why I have insurance. The same instructor asked me how much the plane was worth and I gave him a number. He asked, what was my deductible? He said that was what the plane was worth ? don?t risk your life for the deductible.
My plan is to get plenty of dual time when I am finished. I may have to even find someone to fly off my 40 hours if I don?t feel comfortable and more important, that my instructor doesn?t think I am up to par for that critical time. To me, it doesn?t make sense to spend all the time building and not flying at night, weather, etc, then not make absolutely sure I am ready to handle things that can come up in a flight.
This thread has the chance to help all of us lower the accident rate in RV?s and all experimental aircraft. I appreciate the time those with more experience than I have giving tips and opinions. As arrogant as I am in general, I have no pride when it comes to saving my life!