Looking Out for the Little Guy
There’s an article in the March issue of Flying Magazine written by Peter Garrison on the T-34s and how several of them have had their right wing separate from the fuselage (there’s a similar article available on Air & Space Magazine). And under almost the same (if not identical) conditions.
Aside from the scary factor, what makes the articles interesting is the fact that T-34 owners complained at the cost of the required modifications and that the FAA had overreacted. I’ve heard similar complaints about Transport Canada, and frankly I’m tired of hearing it. TC exists to regulate the industry and ensure safety for all involved. Unfortunately, I think all to often TC is played out as the “bad guy” and used as a scape goat. When training for my PPL, my flight school went into bankruptcy protection it was ”TC’s fault” somehow. And how many times have I heard a flight attendant tell me that they the safety briefing in French ”because TC says they have to,” like it’s a bad thing.
Granted, I don’t fly for a living and so my dealings with TC are minimal, but personally I glad that someone is looking out for my best interest, whether I’m renting an airplane or flying on an airline. And if TC looking after us means that we get bogged down a bit sometimes or have to do things that may not be one hundred percent necessary, then I’m okay with that.
Sun, 20 Mar 2005 01:44 Posted in Flying
