QUOTE: "I guess my point is to raise a discussion as to why in the USA Part 135 operators are restricted in their ability to commence an approach while Part 91 operators are not. At the risk of stirring a hornet's nest I would have thought that,
on average, a part 135 pilot would be better trained and more experienced that a part 91 pilot (I emphasise there 'on average' as I know there will be many exceptions) and, if it is a matter of public safety, the issues should be the same. "
Just a guess (I am no pilot and don't work for the airlines), but....
If the Part 135 pilots are the commercial airlines then they are probably carrying many more passengers compared to GA aircraft. Also, the pilots of air carriers owe their lively hood to airlines whose bottom line is money. That is not a good combination when it comes to decide if you try to make the airport or divert and lose your employer money.
For GA pilots, it isn't about making money (which is illegal, I believe, for those without a commercial license). So, perhaps they won't push it so hard for any reason outside of the cockpit and ego. Also, America has a long history of individualism and I think the pilot regulations for GA stem from that. When the FAA introduced the current system of regulations and airspace they did when they could to leave GA pilots alone. Heck, GA planes don't even need radios to fly legally (certain airspace's excluded of course). They don't even have to land at runways if they don't want to. They current regs were put in place to protect the safety of the commercial flights and keep those cowboy GA pilots separated from them (I use the term cowboy in a good way). Other then that they left GA pilots pretty much alone.
I like it this way.
Again, not a pilot or expert, just my 2 cents.
thanks for thoughtful discussion.
--greg.
[EDIT by me. I just saw my icon on the post which may make you think I am a pilot,
So, I will say that I did take lessons several years ago (pic is from first solo) but I never got my ticket before running out of money
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