fatigue

[WORCESTERIAN]

I read up as much as I can, I watch the fear of flying videos, I go to airports. All as part of my programme to muster up the ability to board and aircrtaft and then this http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=54573&in_page_id=34

It was a major national news item on TV and radio yesterday. One case involved a near stall at Birmingham airport (UK) The tired pilot engaged the flaps instead of the landing gear, very shortly after take off. Apparently, the plane began to lose height and only a warning stimulated the pilot to remedy the situation. At 700 feet. I walk on the Malverns quite often and 700 feet isnt very high. Not very many seconds from the ground.

It feels even more uneasy that it happened at the local airport from which I am working on the confidence to fly. Yes, the situation was recovered but a pretty hair raising story

Thats very worrying, that many pilots and a representative body are concerned about fatigue. I am not sure it is purely media sensationalisation (no doubt that comes into it to some extent)

[Falcon]

I heard something about this but as this wasnt a full blown incident there wont be reports so all we will see is in the press.
Que statement that aircraft have systems that monitor the aircraft. The stickshaker is programmed to go off well before a stall. No 700ft is not very high at all.
Fatigue is becomming a hot button issue as flying to your third home for a tenner has consequenses. To keep costs down assets have to be utilised fully and the bad news is I'm an asset. Low cost airlines are realising this and are working hard to stabalise rosters and reduce fatigue. Having burned out crew resign costs alot to replace. The shame is this is becomming noticed by the press long after the airlines are taking note.

[Silverwing]

Is there anyway us passengers can help?
I tend to avoid flying budget, does that make a difference?

For some reason I associate budget with low quality/unreliable and for a person who is ****scared on a plane anyway, I'd rather at least try and convince myself that I paid my way on to a plane that is less likely to fall out the sky :tongue:.

I'm sure thats not the case and that even budget airlines get the safety bit sorted. Just my mental-ness.

[MathFox]

The EU and US aviation authorities (And Japanese, Canadian....) are very strict on safety, and if they suspect safety issues they can stop flights (or even revoke the airline's license). These are good reasons for airlines to adhere to the (high) safety standards that the aviation authorities demand. (Planes are safer than cars.)

Budget airlines are safe; as safe as the traditional airlines. (To be mathematically correct: there is no statistically significant difference in the safety record between budget and full service airlines in the US and EU).

[Falcon]

Correct, all airlines have to pass a standard to operate. Budget focuses on costs such as offices.