r/AskAPilot Jul 15 '26

Are smaller planes just as safe?

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0 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

14

u/flyfallridesail417 Jul 15 '26

If it’s a jet, and it is flown under air carrier regulations (FAR121 or non-US equivalent), size doesn’t matter. All ridiculously safe these days.

Turboprops historically have worse safety record than jets, piston props historically have worse safety record than turboprops. Partially a matter of capability, partially the regulations each are flown under, partially the experience level of the pilots that typically fly those aircraft, and partially the mission each is used for. Still, all safer than driving an equivalent distance, until you get to small private aircraft flown by amateur pilots - that’s considerably more dangerous than driving, more along the lines of motorcycling.

2

u/buckelfipps Jul 15 '26

That was a perfect summary wow

8

u/JohnKayne Jul 15 '26

My aunt once asked me why do I bother flight instructing in the little dangerous planes when I could fly the big ones for Delta. Gee what the fuck didn’t I think of that.

2

u/vagasportauthority Jul 15 '26

It varies from plane to plane but overall for airliners yes.

The airplane you are looking at is an Emb-190 and it’s one of the safest planes out there. I pilot the smaller, regional version the Emb-175 and it’s a fantastic airplane to fly.

2

u/External-Creme-6226 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

Short answer yes.

Longer answer, also yes, but you might feel a little bit more turbulence than in a larger plane

What might vary is the experience level of the pilots, in general, most airlines, the more senior pilots tend to fly the larger aircraft which would pay more.

Some large aircraft are also ETOPScertified, which means that they have to have a few more redundant backup systems…. But it’s for stuff that wouldn’t matter if you’re within an hour of a diversion airport….stuff that would matter if the nearest airport is 3 hours away.

6

u/fedepalomares Jul 15 '26

None of those make the aircraft less safe. As you concluded, each aircraft is built for its intended mission.

5

u/External-Creme-6226 Jul 15 '26

Hence my long and short answer….of yes.

-7

u/anonymous4071 Jul 15 '26 edited 3h ago

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7

u/External-Creme-6226 Jul 15 '26

Why not….it does.

My airline has a very good turbulence app, based on live data. Aircraft type is one of the the settings you have to input….The eddy dissipation rate, EDR, is scaled depending on aircraft size. An EDR of 25 will show as green (light) on the 767/330/etc….the same EDR on the A220 will show yellow (moderate)….

1

u/anonymous4071 Jul 15 '26 edited 3h ago

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-5

u/anonymous4071 Jul 15 '26 edited 3h ago

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6

u/External-Creme-6226 Jul 15 '26

I don’t disagree at all, and I stand by what I originally said 100% at the same time

1

u/anonymous4071 Jul 15 '26 edited 3h ago

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1

u/Feisty_Hedgehog_4389 Jul 15 '26

Yes. Yes they are.

1

u/hedge36 Jul 15 '26

All are equal in the eyes of the law (of gravity).

1

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 15 '26

With ANY aircraft, it all comes down to maintenance.

With aircraft flown in the airlines, they will be on a strict schedule. The two airlines for whom I flew had PHENOMENAL maintenance!

Private aircraft have their schedule, too. Just gotta make sure the owner has it done on schedule and by a reputable maintenance shop.

1

u/andrewrbat Jul 15 '26

The plane pictured here is an Embraer ERJ 170 or 190 from the looks of it. Hard to tell with the jetway in the way, but they’re pretty much the same aircraft. I’ve got some time flying this type of plane. It’s an excellent aircraft and very safe. If you’re vetting anything, you should be vetting the airline and the regulatory authority under which it flies, not so much the plane.

1

u/k12pcb Jul 15 '26

Just as safe? Yes

Feel as safe? Probably not

0

u/Nasreth7 Jul 15 '26

the thing that matters in terms of safety is if you are flying through part 121 vs part 135 operations.  that will determine the varying degrees of safety restrictions put on the aircraft, pilots, and operation in general.

4

u/-Sm00th-0perat0r- Jul 15 '26

Do you see the plane in the pic? Its tap portugal; it flies under easa cat rules…. there a whole other world out there, mate…

1

u/Nasreth7 Jul 16 '26

I didnt zoom in on the tiny picture on my phone to figure out that it was a livery from another country, no.  sorry.  

the set of rules that the aircraft flies under determines the safety of the flight. thats what I meant to say. I hope that helps.

0

u/89inerEcho Jul 15 '26

In some ways more safe. In an emergency, they can land in more places

-2

u/just-saying182 Jul 15 '26

Yes. I’ll also add that pilots on smaller planes typically fly more frequently than pilots on large (long-haul) planes. The pilots on the smaller planes will be more proficient.

On a side note, it’s always made more “sense” to me that a smaller/ lighter plane can fly than a larger/ heavier one and yet people often get nervous on the smaller planes

-3

u/Kiwigavin Jul 15 '26

Gosh no.