Is it safe to fly in a small aircraft?

Safety is the most common concern for first-time passengers. It's a fair question, and it deserves a thorough, honest answer.

General aviation vs. commercial aviation

Commercial airlines operate under the strictest safety regulations in any transport sector. General aviation (private flying) operates under different, lighter-touch rules. Statistically, the accident rate per flight hour is higher in GA than commercial aviation.

However, context matters. Most GA accidents involve:

• Loss of control in poor weather (VMC into IMC)
• Fuel exhaustion
• Mechanical failure on old, poorly maintained aircraft
• Pilots flying outside their competence

These risks are dramatically reduced when flying with a verified, experienced pilot in a well-maintained aircraft, which is exactly what AvioSharing is designed to ensure.

What AvioSharing does to reduce risk

Pilot verification. Every pilot's licence is reviewed by our team before their first flight is listed. Expired licences are rejected immediately.

Medical currency. Pilots declare their medical certificate is current when listing flights. Medicals are required by law and ensure pilots meet minimum fitness standards.

Aircraft confirmation. Pilots confirm the aircraft's maintenance status and insurance coverage when creating a listing.

Reviews. After every flight, passengers rate the experience. Pilots with poor reviews or reported safety concerns are reviewed by our team.

Weather cancellations are respected. Pilots are encouraged to cancel in marginal weather. Cancellation history is visible, but a pilot who cancels for safety reasons should be trusted more, not less.

What to look for in a pilot profile

Before booking, check:

• ✅ Verified badge (green checkmark)
• ✅ Licence type and ratings (PPL minimum; IR rating means instrument-qualified)
• ✅ Total hours (200+ is comfortable; 1,000+ is very experienced)
• ✅ Reviews from previous passengers
• ✅ Aircraft type and registration

Your first flight

The pilot will brief you before departure. You'll learn how to use the seatbelt, the headset, and what to do in an emergency. Don't hesitate to ask questions. A good pilot will welcome them.

If anything feels wrong before the flight (weather looks bad, the aircraft looks poorly maintained, the pilot seems stressed or distracted), it's completely reasonable to decline.

Flying in a well-maintained light aircraft with a verified, experienced pilot is statistically safer than driving the same distance on a motorway.