Man was born with many abilities, but, alas, he was deprived of his ability to fly independently. The speed that the average resident develops is small, and sometimes you have to cover huge distances. Therefore, as civilization developed, many ways were invented to help accelerate movement: from the use of horses and wagons to the appearance of cars and airplanes. Thus, modern man has the opportunity to find himself in another place on the planet literally after a few hours. This, of course, added comfort to the hectic life of earthlings, but also made some of them wonder: what is safer - an airplane or a train, or maybe a car?
Relentless Statistics
In the minds of people, the widespread stereotype is firmly entrenched that air travel is dangerous, and the most stable mode of transport is a car. This situation happened because if the plane crashes, then the news about it instantly flies around all existing media outlets and the media, mourning is announced. In addition, the number of passengers injured in such disasters is estimated at the same time by hundreds of people, this is also impressive and scary.
But if we look at the statistics, the largest number of accidents occurs with vehicles, and especially with motorcycles. Moreover, convinced bikers risk several times more than orthodox drivers. According to statistics, for every 160 million km, two motorists die, and the figure indicating the danger of motor vehicles is alarming - 42 people. In addition, the driver or provocateur of the accident may not be the driver himself, but another traffic participant.
In second place for safety after cars are trains. Many passengers are sure that the train is the calmest mode of transport, giving confidence in the successful outcome of the trip. But it is not so. The situation when a train crashes does not occur as often as car accidents. But since the scale is quite large, especially in terms of the number of victims, such events are noticeable and tragic.
So what is safer: plane or train? The answer is clear: the plane. No matter how strange at first glance this may sound, air crashes occur much less frequently than others, and in terms of the total number of victims calculated according to the covered mileage or for a certain time, they are significantly inferior to other types of movement. For example, over a year on average about 2 thousand passengers die in catastrophes involving aircraft. If we compare this figure with the victims of car accidents, the conclusion becomes obvious.
Safety contest
Now that the statistics speak for themselves, it's time to clarify one more important point. Is there the safest airplane in the world? You can answer this question, understanding what is meant by the safety of an aircraft. For an ordinary inhabitant of the planet who does not delve into the intricacies of air travel and maintenance of individual units of the fleet, the most reliable aircraft is the one that has a minimum of air crashes. But it must be borne in mind that not only the design of the side is of fundamental importance during operation, the human factor is no less important . Of course, those companies that produce many different models with advanced passenger safety features and lengthy flight experience are more popular and ranked.
It is statistical research that finds out which planes are safer.
Accordingly, trusting the published lists, people make up their minds about the quality and safety of flights. Thus, the rating of safe aircraft includes various models of
Boeing (747, 767, 757, 737 NG) and Airbus (340, 330, 320). According to various data provided by the statistics of safe aircraft, this list includes the Brazilian-made Embraer liner and the McDonnell-Douglas ship. As for the first, this is a plane designed for near flights. It began to be produced relatively recently. But despite this, accidents involving the Brazilian side have not yet been recorded.
Leading tandem
The title "The safest airplane in the world" is divided between two aircraft giants - Boeing 777 and Airbus 340. The second aircraft from this duo has many variations and is intended for intercontinental flights. It is one of the largest and safest aircraft in the world. For example, Model A 340-600 is distinguished by the length of the fuselage: it is the longest aircraft of the Airbus family. The aircraft of this company are equipped with heavy duty Rolls-Royce engines. The four-engine turbojet board is equipped with a computer navigation and control system, and instead of traditional helms, side joysticks are used.
As for security, this can be judged by the catastrophes or malfunctions that have occurred over the entire period involving Airbus. There were only 5 cases, three of which were fatal. It is noteworthy that two of them were provoked by a mistake of the pilots or the crew of the vessel. The rest happened by accident: a fire on board during towing, the tires on the chassis burst and a terrorist attack was carried out. In November 2007, the last incident with the presence of victims, provoked by the human factor, was recorded in Toulouse. But the “Airbus 340”, although firmly included in the rating of safe aircraft, does not withstand competition with the “Boeing” due to excessive fuel consumption. Recently, orders for the production of "Airbus" decreased.
Airplane number 1: it exists
But still, given the numerous ratings, the Boeing 777 proudly bears the honorary title of “The World’s Safest Aircraft”. Famous Boeings cross airspace around the world, but the Three Sevens were not seen in casualties, with the exception of terrorist attacks. This is a wide-body airliner designed for long-haul flights. The Boeing 777 family was developed in the 90s of the last century, but they came into operation in 1995. Aircraft of this class during its existence covered about 20 million km of airways, and all flights passed without significant collisions. This is the first liner in the world, planned and created entirely using computer technology. It recorded the first record of flight range among passenger aircraft. In total, 748 such airliners are currently built. In virtually all Boeing statistical studies, the Three Sevens top the safe aircraft rating.
But for some reason turboprop ships have been undeservedly forgotten.
But in vain, because many of them are distinguished by quality and safety. The most reliable aircraft of the turboprop group is Saab 2000. This Swedish air miracle has not had a single death in its track record for 20 years.
Russian standards
Russian passenger aircraft, which for safety can hardly compete with their Western counterparts, the Tu-154 and its counterpart, Tu-134. These aircraft conquer the airspace of post-Soviet countries and the Middle East. Tu-134 has been produced since the 60s and is one of the most popular vessels of Russian companies. There were a bit more accidents involving Tu-154, but it was still used by most Russian airlines.
According to new safety standards, air emissions, noise levels, these Russian passenger aircraft, created about 40 years ago, no longer satisfy consumers and the world community, and therefore must be modernized or replaced.
Preparatory phase, or flight allowed
Aircraft is a safe transport not only due to improved flight qualities, but also to the staff serving it. The third person after the captain and pilot is an aircraft technician. It is he who oversees all the processes that occur from the arrival of the board at the airport to the departure from its limits.
Sometimes this person in charge is called a conductor, because it is thanks to him that the flight "orchestra" plays the parts synchronously and with inspiration. He first installs the brake pads and connects the board to the grounding cable, checks all the necessary fasteners (and there are more than a thousand units), and in general, there are no trifles in the work of aircraft. In his hands are human lives, therefore, in the event of a fatal error, aircraft technology expects criminal liability.
He conducts a visual inspection of the aircraft for damage, checks the oil level in the engine, the condition of the runway. In addition, the aircraft is in touch with the crew, finding out if there were any problems during the flight and during landing. This person supervises and coordinates the work of airfield services, cleaning the cabin, and equipping the side with water and food. The flight conductor monitors baggage loading in accordance with the approved scheme. He acts exactly according to the rules and does not miss a single trifle. After refueling, the aircraft mechanic checks the sensors and signs the documents allowing the departure.
But do not think that only one person is responsible for the state of the board before departure: it is duplicated by several more inspecting groups, and the crew must inspect the board before the flight. All these actions are carried out within 50 minutes with special care, and the monitoring of the work of the aircraft mechanic is carried out not from distrust, but to avoid accidental errors. During the shift, this irreplaceable employee of the airport manages to check about 4 aircraft and say the magic phrase several times: “I allow departure!”
Survivor sites: myth or reality?
Even people who are not susceptible to aerophobia, no, no, let’s think about the question: are there safe places on the plane? Instinctively, some believe that places in the rear guard of the cabin or near the emergency exit are less dangerous. Passengers justify this by saying that in the event of a catastrophe, the board will hit the ground with its nose, therefore, people sitting behind will suffer less. And if an emergency occurs, then near the exit will increase the chance to leave the board faster. But this is absolute nonsense.
Do not entertain yourself with illusions. Finding safe places on the plane is a futile task. If the vessel is in good condition, everyone will land alive and healthy. In addition, the seats that the passenger has outlined for himself, as the best, may be occupied. And for nervous individuals, awareness of this fact will lead to panic attacks and a refusal to travel.
20th century air disasters
The crash of passenger aircraft is an extraordinary event, subject to mandatory fixation and investigation. The history of air crashes of the 20th century was marked by the first crash of a British passenger plane flying to France. Then, in December 1920, 4 people out of 8 on board died.
In 1971, in Alaska, a board crashed into a mountain with 111 passengers. Unfortunately, there were no survivors.
Fatal mistake: an unclosed cargo door provoked an accident in the sky of France, which claimed 346 lives. It happened in 1974.
A terrible disaster occurred in 1977 in the Canary Islands. Then two Boeing crashed into each other. This incident remains the largest in the history of aviation in the number of deaths: 583 people.
In 1979, a sightseeing liner crashed over Antarctica. He collided with the volcano "Erebus". Killed 257 people.
This is not the only encounter with a mountainside: in Japan in August 1985, a Boeing crashed, crashing into Otsutaka Mountain.
The largest plane crash in Indonesian history occurred in 1997: a plane going to land collided with a cliff. Killed all 234 people.
What now?
The new century has brought improvements and innovations that have contributed to flight safety, but disasters still happen periodically. Often the crash of passenger aircraft occurs due to the fault of the crew or a shortage of personnel preparing the board. A glaring incident took place in the sky over Greece in 2005. Due to the oversight of aircraft mechanics, the cockpit was depressurized, so the plane, which remained without control, crashed into the very first obstacle.
A unique case occurred in Sudan. There, in July 2003, the plane crashed almost immediately after departure. And the catastrophe is unusual in that, fortunately, the only survivor was a two-year-old child.
In October 2005, a Boeing exploded in the airspace of Nigeria from a lightning strike. The ship fell on a cocoa plantation, all passengers died.
In general, until now, the 21st century has upset mankind by the number of serious air crashes, reaching 30 cases.
Why are they falling?
Each passenger sooner or later asks this question. Even the safest airplane in the world not safe from disaster. According to statistics, the most common factor is human: pilot errors, incorrect decisions. In the second place are adverse weather conditions and lack of visibility. Many catastrophes occurred due to malfunctions and malfunctions that suddenly occurred or were not timely detected by aircraft mechanics and technicians. Often the reason is the lack of professionalism and negligence of dispatchers and airport employees. Not the last place is occupied by planned terrorist acts.
Pioneers of passenger aircraft
And what were passenger planes at the beginning? Interestingly, the first passenger plane was designed with latitude and chic, and its homeland was ... Russia! It was called quite charismatic - "Ilya Muromets." The hero was converted from a bomber, he had a comfortable lounge, his own restaurant, and bedrooms with bathtubs. It is noteworthy that the aircraft was heated and provided with electricity. The ship took off in 1913. The following year, "Ilya Muromets" made a record of flight range by performing a two-way flight from St. Petersburg to Kiev. Unfortunately, war prevented the further development of events.
After the American company "Ford" created a reliable aircraft, which was used to transport passengers (8 people) for many years.
Aerofobam note
Why are some people panicky afraid of flying? Psychologists argue that this is due to the inability to control any situation. And even despite the fact that much more people die in road accidents and such accidents occur more often, the entrenched stereotype of a safer car trip does not allow curbing irrational fears.
Aerophobia prevents people from significantly reducing travel time and enjoying flying. But such fears can and must be fought.
- Occupy yourself before boarding. Do not languish in anticipation, but read a book, magazine, listen to music. Women are not forbidden to visit shops and please themselves with new things.
- While waiting for takeoff on board, do not mess around. Read, watch movies, listen to the player or, as a last resort, slowly think to yourself.
- Comfort yourself with stories from the past: there used to be airplanes that were significantly behind in equipment, and nothing, they were in demand.
- Do not worry about health: sometimes aviation is used even to transport seriously ill people.
- It’s good to afford 100 grams of alcohol or a special drug that removes the fear of flying. But do not take medicine without consulting a doctor.
- And remember: knock out a wedge with a wedge - fly more often!
There are also a number of psychological techniques that you can learn from a psychologist and apply at the right time.
Information compilation
Choosing a safe plane, be guided by the prestige of the airline, its budget and experience in the field of air travel. And most importantly, trust the crew, because they fly with you on the same board, therefore, they are confident in the safety of the flight.