Flights Filled With Danger
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
A growing number of people are attracted to flying ultra-light aircraft and other apparatus, capitalizing on lax regulations and increased leisure time following the launch of a five-day working work. But flights without proper safety regulations and training are also seeing an increase in the number of accidents.
Light aircraft are drawing greater attention from a growing number of people as they require relatively simple safety and licensing requirements. But this easy access to recreational aviation is being blamed for some recent tragic accidents.
A light aircraft Sunday crashed into reclaimed land in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, claiming the lives of the 46-year-old pilot and a 51-year-old passenger. Last month, another accident involving a light aircraft took place at an airfield in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, seriously injuring the pilot.
According to aviation authorities, about 30 aviation accidents involving light aircraft have been reported since 2000, 10 of which were fatal The main causes of the accidents were aircraft malfunction, unskillful control and unauthorized aviation, they said.
Under the current law, the only regulation is that the owner should register the aircraft to either of two local aviation authorities ― Seoul Regional Aviation Administration or Busan Regional Aviation Administration, and go through a safety checkup of the airplane at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA) every year.
Before the flight, they also have to report to either of two local aviation authorities. A solo flight is only allowed to those with a license, which they can get after passing a test at the KTSA. To apply for the test, pilots have to complete a minimum 20 flight hours with a trainer.
But members of very light aircraft criticize the government's neglect in efforts to create a proper infrastructure as well as safety regulations.
``It's like they try to stop you from crossing the road without making a crosswalk,'' said Lee Hee-gyu, 48, who has eight years of experience flying light aircraft. ``If you want to cross the road, you don't have a choice but to take the risk. They don't build a runaway or anything, but force us to abide by rules to avoid being held responsible for any accidents.''
``As demand for aviation leisure activities is surging so are accidents,'' an official from the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs said. ``We plan to revise the current law and implement stricter regulations to stem accidents, if need be.''
About 450 light aircraft are now operational across the nation, with members of light aircraft clubs leading the aviation leisure activities. However, current regulations are too lax to guarantee their safety.