Last month, a Southwest Airlines 737 had a catastrophic engine failure. The crew diverted the airplane and landed safely with one engine.
Southwest ranks as the safest of the major U.S. carriers and second-safest overall. This shows nothing can ever be “completely safe.” Things happen. But air travelers can take steps to insure their safety. One of the steps is to pick an airline which allows the most safety options possible.
Beginning October 1, the Cortez City Council will take a step backward as far as airline safety is concerned. They recommended Boutique Airlines as Cortez’s new essential air service carrier as opposed to Great Lakes Airlines.
There is nothing wrong with Boutique; however, they operate as a carrier with single-engine aircraft. Great Lakes uses twin-engine aircraft. I’m sure flying to Denver on Boutique on a clear, calm day would be an enjoyable, safe flight for everyone. However, during the winter, in icing conditions and/or after dark, that same flight could be a harrowing, dangerous experience.
Twin-engine airplanes offer more safety options. Pilots in twin-engine aircraft receive more training and are required to have more experience. The city council awarded this contract to Boutique with no input from the public or any pilots or airline personnel (other than Boutique).
When the council made this recommendation, the Department of Transportation required that they confirm in writing that “they were aware they were recommending a relatively young airline using single-engine aircraft.”
The council confirmed their understanding of these facts – again with no input.
I’m an old commercial pilot, flight instructor and ex-owner of Four Corners Aviation in Farmington, New Mexico. I have flown thousands of hours in both single and twin-engine aircraft for 48 years. I know what can happen. If I’m flying to Denver at night in marginal weather conditions, I want my seatbelt tightly buckled and two engines to get me safely to my destination.
The number one reason airlines use twin-engine aircraft is safety. Even the safest airline can have things happen.
What gives the city council the right to make this decision for all citizens?
Garth Greenlee
Cortez
