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This is very true. The FAA really takes this seriously. So much so that since one of their duties is enforcement and potentially revoking licenses for violati
by maxcan 11y ago
This is very true. The FAA really takes this seriously. So much so that since one of their duties is enforcement and potentially revoking licenses for violations they have built a system where NASA, a completely separate agency, manages the Aviation Safety and Reporting System (ASRS).
When we, as pilots, submit ASRS reports of mistakes or dangerous situations we know that the information we submit on those reports cannot and will not be used against us in a FAA violation proceeding. Furthermore, submission of an ASRS report will often reduce or eliminate any penalties for an infraction. This has created a cover-your-ass-culture that actually promotes safety as we will often report mistakes and dangerous situations early and aggressively, knowing that we are protected from FAA action and for commercial pilots, from airline disciplinary processes.
- petra 11y agoThis system is working great. But what about bad pilots ? How are they dealt with ?
- curun1r 11y agoI'm not a pilot, but I'd imagine that it's a combination of recognizing and learning from each mistake and a ruthless punishment of severe mistakes. If you have a culture of reporting each and every mistake, you can receive feedback on what you could have done better in each and every one of those situations. That leads to bad pilots constantly becoming better pilots. Additionally, unlike the doctors in the story, severe mistakes in aviation will result in the death of the pilot, so like those startups that always fire the bottom percentage of their workforce, the really bad pilots will naturally eliminate themselves. Rockclimbing is similar to flying in their compulsion to study fatal accidents. Climbing magazines will publish fairly in-depth discussions, not out of morbid curiosity but, instead, as a campaign to build awareness among climbers of mistakes that can kill them. This has led to safer gear and practices used in the sport and has undoubtedly saved lives.
- avn2109 11y agoBy definition, the bad pilots have or will soon crash their aircraft, removing either themselves or at least their equipment (and unfortunately maybe their passengers) from circulation. I say this as myself a bad pilot, but one who is aware enough of that fact to always fly with dual control.
- maxcan 11y agoThere is a separate FAA process for willful violations. Airlines also have their own internal processes.
- lutorm 11y agoThe FAA has also recently said that it's going to change its focus on enforcement through punishment and aim for a reduction of violations through education and training.
- lutorm 11y agoIt's also fair to point out that this is not a universal system. I'm pretty sure Italy by default treats aircraft accidents as crime scenes where responsibility is to be assigned.