I think it was clear I was talking about commercial aviation but to lend some balance to your post let me address some of the points.
General aviation aircraft operate in completely different circumstances. Using shorter, sometime grass, runways without the benefits of instrument landing systems. Usually outside of the ATC system.
The general aviation fleet is generally ageing. 30+ year old aircraft are not at all uncommon.
They have one engine; however it is about 2 steps below a lawnmower in terms of mechanical complexity. So long as it receives a fair supply of fuel stoppages are very rare.
I don't think you can make any connection between a lack of flight plan and the safety of a flight, other than perhaps that the search and rescue team might have a better chance of finding you if the worst happens.
There are plenty of non-commercial pilots who aspire to a standard of piloting which are at or above the level of commercial pilots (consider display pilots).
All in all, the level of safety in general aviation is roughly similar to that of riding a motorcycle.
>I don't think you can make any connection between a lack of flight plan and the safety of a flight
Part of proper flight plans are taking the steps to mark out your emergency procedures and landing places for failures in several portions of the trip, including a few different failures during takeoff. Sure, it might just be "Turn into that field there and cross your fingers", but you've at least thought about it and planned before hand
General aviation aircraft operate in completely different circumstances. Using shorter, sometime grass, runways without the benefits of instrument landing systems. Usually outside of the ATC system.
The general aviation fleet is generally ageing. 30+ year old aircraft are not at all uncommon.
They have one engine; however it is about 2 steps below a lawnmower in terms of mechanical complexity. So long as it receives a fair supply of fuel stoppages are very rare.
I don't think you can make any connection between a lack of flight plan and the safety of a flight, other than perhaps that the search and rescue team might have a better chance of finding you if the worst happens.
There are plenty of non-commercial pilots who aspire to a standard of piloting which are at or above the level of commercial pilots (consider display pilots).
All in all, the level of safety in general aviation is roughly similar to that of riding a motorcycle.