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Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

reuters.com

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Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Counterintuitively, it's probably the unrealistically high maintenance standards that lead to 1) no available qualified mechanics, and 2) incredibly high prices, resulting in 3) deferring whatever is possible to defer. This is the situation in the US; I imagine costs are doubly impactful in a country like France.

Citation needed. Afaik they mostly crash from pilot error, not technical problems caused by too little maintenance.

I just went through a bunch of reports while I'm on call at work. Yes, pilot error is far and away the biggest official cause (although I've read some reports along the lines of "wing fell off", cause: pilot's failure to keep airplane flying with one wing). Pilots make mistakes. But as with so many things it just isn't that simple.

That said, there are a ton of tools available now that give massively enhanced situational awareness to keep pilots from making mistakes. Cooking a cylinder on takeoff should not happen anymore with fully instrumented EGT/CHT displays and alarms. And indeed, powerplant failures are way down despite flying the same powerplants.

But for some reason engine monitors cost thousands [https://sarasotaavionics.com/search?q=engine+monitor]. Many of the dwindling numbers of A&Ps don't know how (and so decline) to install them, and only authorized inspectors (a fraction of licensed mechanics) are allowed to sign off on an installation to make it legal. And when they do, they're told their license is on the line if a mistake is found.

So when a pilot burns or sticks a valve, has to navigate a partial power situation, and in a moment of extreme stress makes an error in emergency landing, was this a technical problem? A regulatory one? A monopolistic economic problem? Or just blind pilot error?

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#92
post #58

My Dad, a flight instructor, loves to remind me that there are bold pilots and old pilots. But there are no old bold pilots.

Chuck Yeager seemed pretty bold and died at 96. Yay, one old bold pilot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Yeager

If you think you have the skill and luck of Chuck Yeager, by all means, go fly boldly.

One of my old coworkers was a retired navy captain who used to be an instructor at Top Gun and had hundreds of night carrier landings. He told me that he'd have to be forced at gunpoint to fly on a small general aviation airplane, it's just too dangerous.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#93
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like unjustifiable hubris to assume that I'm significantly less susceptible to human error than the average person that decides to become a pilot.

If you're even thinking about the danger, it's absolutely justifiable to believe you're above the average already. The average person has zero regard for their own safety; governments have to literally force people to wear seatbelts in cars or helmets on motorcycles because they won't do it without threat of financial penalty.

"the average person that decides to become a pilot."

I don't know if this was added in an edit, but it doesn't currently say the average person. I'm pretty sure the average person trying to become a pilot thinks about the danger.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're even thinking about the danger, it's absolutely justifiable to believe you're above the average already. The average person has zero regard for their own safety; governments have to literally force people to wear seatbelts in cars or helmets on motorcycles because they won't do it without threat of financial penalty.

"the average person that decides to become a pilot." I don't know if this was added in an edit, but it doesn't currently say the average person. I'm pretty sure the average person trying to become a pilot thinks about the danger.

It wasn't added in an edit. I simply don't believe there's a meaningful difference. "The average person who decides to ride a motorcycle" still will not wear a helmet without government intervention, and I don't see any evidence that the average pilot is any different. As others point out, the causes of pilot fatalities are recorded for review, and indicate that a similar level of carelessness can be found in many pilots, who eg. choose to fly in inclement weather when not doing so was an option, and pay for it with their lives. You don't need to be some incredible aviation ace to minimise the risks, you simply need to actually care about your own safety and make conscious decisions not to engage in wantonly reckless behaviour.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#95
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a similar decision to make (pilot or motorbike) and the fact that 60%+ of aviation deaths are pilot error and something like 60%+ of motorcycle crashes are NOT the rider's fault - led me to be a pilot. At least then I can try to make good decisions, e.g, DO NOT FLY INTO WEATHER.

MC rider. Many accidents occur during the early years, particularly as the new rider gets comfortable. There's a transition period where your muscle memory kicks in for basic riding skills, but not developed enough to keep you out of trouble. It is an incredible feeling of false confidence that makes you feel invincible. It's possible to be 'smart' and reduce risk during this period, but I'm not advocating people gen…

> MC rider. Many accidents occur during the early years, particularly as the new rider gets comfortable.

A large portion (half?) of crashes also involve alcohol.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

MC rider. Many accidents occur during the early years, particularly as the new rider gets comfortable. There's a transition period where your muscle memory kicks in for basic riding skills, but not developed enough to keep you out of trouble. It is an incredible feeling of false confidence that makes you feel invincible. It's possible to be 'smart' and reduce risk during this period, but I'm not advocating people gen…

> MC rider. Many accidents occur during the early years, particularly as the new rider gets comfortable. A large portion (half?) of crashes also involve alcohol.

And riding beyond the conditions. Motorcyclists cause in fact in my country, many of their own accidents. This despite the fact they’ll claim it’s everybody else’s fault.

Too bad the statistics say otherwise.

I am a motorcyclist myself. I just don’t have the will to lie to myself or others.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#97
post #61
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a similar decision to make (pilot or motorbike) and the fact that 60%+ of aviation deaths are pilot error and something like 60%+ of motorcycle crashes are NOT the rider's fault - led me to be a pilot. At least then I can try to make good decisions, e.g, DO NOT FLY INTO WEATHER.

And a lot of the pilot deaths are not because of in-the-moment skill deficiencies. Stick and rudder skills aren't that useful with fuel exhaustion and bad weather planning. It's much easier to stay safer in a plane vs motorcycle. I wish people treated cars and motorcycles properly, especially in the US. Until then, no motorcycles for me either :(

Yeah, I think the rules for motorcycles are also less stringent in Canada than in EU. And road conditions often not great.

Of course the 6 months of winter in Toronto also make it less appealing to drive a motorcycle.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#98
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hmm? What else did I miss?

From here https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/s/cZE1TCwb2B June 8: A Gulfstream G200 crashed while landing at La Romana International in the DR, it was on the way to pick up former MLB player Yadier Molina, but it had to make an emergency landing. Both pilots, the only occupants, died. June 10: A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad. All 22 on board perished. June 11: Turkish Airlines Fligh…

Looks like a lot. Is it always like that, or were the last two weeks really that special?

One thing that sticks out is that GA (small), but also military, planes' accidents usually end with deaths and big planes accidents usually end with everything being fine.

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#99
post #58

My Dad, a flight instructor, loves to remind me that there are bold pilots and old pilots. But there are no old bold pilots.

Chuck Yeager seemed pretty bold and died at 96. Yay, one old bold pilot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Yeager

Maybe their dad only started saying this in the past three decades

Re: Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash

#100
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a similar decision to make (pilot or motorbike) and the fact that 60%+ of aviation deaths are pilot error and something like 60%+ of motorcycle crashes are NOT the rider's fault - led me to be a pilot. At least then I can try to make good decisions, e.g, DO NOT FLY INTO WEATHER.

MC rider. Many accidents occur during the early years, particularly as the new rider gets comfortable. There's a transition period where your muscle memory kicks in for basic riding skills, but not developed enough to keep you out of trouble. It is an incredible feeling of false confidence that makes you feel invincible. It's possible to be 'smart' and reduce risk during this period, but I'm not advocating people gen…

Similar in aviation, where it’s known as „the killing zone“.
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