Some pilots fly without licenses. This is bad, this is sad, but this is a fact. This raises lots of insurance and legal questions, and lives are endangered. This is a scandal.

Some drivers drive without licenses. This is bad, this is sad, but this is a fact. This raises lots of insurance and legal question, and lives are endangered. This is a scandal.

I’m not getting nuts, and this is not the 7 differences games. This post is a simple epidermic reaction to an article published in the Houston Chronicle, after a Cessna 172 crash-landed. No one got injured, but the pilot had only a student license, which was expired for more that two years.

This is not something that can be accepted or justified, and there is no possible excuse. Not only it is stupid, but it is also damaging the image of the aviation community. In our post 9/11 world, where security measures developing like mushrooms after the rain, such idiotic incidents bring useless attention.

The Houston Chronicle even asked for the opinion of Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, who said the panel expects to have a briefing from the Department of Homeland Security about issues involving general aviation in the next few weeks.

I’m wondering if Mr. Thompson also expects a report from the Committee about the issues involving cars. And what about trucks ? Does all truck drivers have licenses ? And motorbikes ? Seriously, Mr. Journalist, it’s not because aviation is not for anybody that it’s more dangerous than any other transportation way.

Aviation is much more regulated and controlled than any other. In most countries, driving licenses are life-time valid, and don’t require any recurrent training or evaluation. And you, as pilot or student pilot, know the rules.

If you’re ever tempted to break them, remember that you’re not only putting yourself and others at risk… but also the whole community. So don’t. If I had a single wish, it would be to never ever see such a news article again. Am I dreaming ?

Links:

Read the original article in the Houston Chronicle

Bluffing your way through and IFR flight ?