So, I just saw that my plane crashed

[Capt.Rocky300]

112. It does seem a high price to pay......

but some positive changes did come out of the EAL 407 crash. Emergency and Abnormal checklists were changed to include at the top, "Captain Designate Flying Authority". It established that someone would have to mind the store while the nonflying pilot, and back in the good old days a flight engineer, worked on the problem. The other change was installation of an aural warning when the autopilot disengaged for any reason. It's sad those people died because of a burned out bulb in green gear down light but I'm sure the changes that came out of the crash saved many lives since.

Frankly, I do have some concern about some of the crew members at some airlines. The fact is there has always been a small percentage of pilots who have made it to the front seats who didn't belong there. The common figure thrown around in the industry is 10%. It wasn't anywhere near that high at the airline I flew for. It may be higher at some foreign carriers. Unfortunately, it seems the accidents in recent years have featured those types of folks. I can only hope it is coincidence and not a trend.

I have seen dramatic and huge improvements in airline training over the years. That is the key along with hiring the best in the first place. The process should require a thorough checkride in a simulator to test their stick and rudder skills as well as general knowledge and especially, judgement. This is done at the majors but the Regionals either can't afford or are unwilling to pay for the sim time. They should have to.

Like you, I think spin training is an essential component to being a safe pilot. When I was a flight instructor decades ago, I was instructed by my boss to not do spins if it wasn't required. His concern was that it would scare students away from continuing toward their license. So, the only spins I taught were to pilots working on their CFI. Stupid policy.

Something that disturbed me in the later years of my career was the influx of young pilots who's primary motivation was money and the benefits. They didn't really care about flying. They couldn't tell a Super Cub from an Ercoupe or a 707. There was no passion for flying. I don't know if those are the types of pilots who have poor records or not and maybe it's irrelevant. I do know there is another side to the coin. I've lost some friends who loved aviation to their core and still died in an airplane.

Yeah, the 60's were a great time to be part of general aviation. When I was in college I used to rent a J3 for $3.50 an hour wet and fly with the door and window open at 500' yelling at the cows and waving to the girls. Probably not a good idea in this day and age unless you want to meet some Homeland Security agents when you land.

So ends my ramblings.