There's something about getting up close to a plane that makes you feel awe. I felt that today when I visited the Rochester International Airport for the Rochester WINGS Aviation Expo going on this weekend. The show is for aviation lovers, hobbyists, and would-be pilots alike. My guests went to great lengths to explain how a plane works-- from its instrumentation, to its construction, to the training it takes to be a pilot (alot!). I didn't go up in the plane but the tour certainly piqued my interest!
Certainly we talked about the Air France plane crash. Both pilots said what happened was unfortunate, but extremely rare. They said pilots must undergo regular training to keep their skills current and the way planes are constructed makes them able to withstand severe weather. Still, accidents do happen, they acknowledged. That's why, they say, events like Rochester WINGS are so important. They show the public how seriously pilots take their jobs and how much work it takes to maintain an aircraft. People can even get their first flight lesson at the event!
Still, accidents like the one in Clarence Center earlier this year and now the Air France flight strike terror in travelers’ hearts…with good reason. But the truth is, flying IS much safer than driving. Imagine if drivers were forced to take re-certification classes every so often. You could argue there might be fewer accidents on the road. Maybe if people took driving as seriously as pilots do flying I wouldn’t have been pinched at the light in front of our station headed home four months ago (Ok, now that was mean…but if felt strangely good!)
Truth be told, my heart does skip a beat during takeoff and landing or when there’s turbulence. That won’t change because of my visit today, but I feel a ton better knowing there are people out there whose passion and livelihood depend on making flight safe, efficient, and…dare I say…fun!
