Australia's general aviation safety performance is slipping behind that of the USA, according to figures from the US National Transportation Safety Board and the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau. Australia has about 14 accidents per 100,000h, the USA fewer than eight. Concern over falling training standards has prompted the Aviation Safety Foundation of Australia to launch a flying instructors' development programme, based on the FAA's "Wings" scheme, credited with reducing the US accident rate by 45% over the past ten years.
Source: Flight International
