I think the approach the article is making is that it pays to be methodical about deciding to invest in something, it's not about saying that startups will be p

I think the approach the article is making is that it pays to be methodical about deciding to invest in something, it's not about saying that startups will be predictable, but about reducing risk. Planes just happen to be a case where risk can be reduced to a pretty minimal level with a good enough checklist.