General Aviation (GA) in the United States is one of the world’s safest forms of public transportation. Part of that outstanding track record comes from the steady improvements in technology and certification standards that have made GA safe for those flying and those on the ground.

Safest Year in History

In 2002 GA pilots set another all-time safety record, recording the fewest accidents ever, since government record-keeping of those accidents started. Preliminary figures for 2003 show that GA continues to have historic low accident rates.

 

Safer & Safer with Every Year

The graph above shows the result of industry-wide efforts to continuously improve the safety of GA. Since 1950, the accident rate per flying hour has been cut by more than 86 percent, even while the amount of GA flying has skyrocketed because of its critical role in our nation’s economy and lifestyle.

The steady improvement of the GA safety record is the result of dozens of programs within all areas of GA, from pilot education and training to better technology to improved operating methods and practices to a more complete body of knowledge learned throughout history.
       


Every pilot must complete formal training, and the Federal Aviation Administration must approve every aspect of that training: the curriculum, flight school, aircraft, and flight instructor.


All aircraft must undergo mandatory periodic maintenance and inspections every 50 hours, 100 hours, or annually (the frequency depends upon the type of use for each aircraft).
 


GA is deeply rooted in a time-tested set of practices and standards. These are embodied in the Federal Aviation Regulations, a set of rules pilots must follow, and the Aeronautical Information Manual, a compilation of technical explanations and recommended procedures.

 


Compared with every other form of transportation (cars, trucks, buses, boats, motorcycles, bicycles, and walking), GA accidents are exceedingly rare. But, while rare, they do occur.