Hamid --
Some points to ponder.
1) The B-737 is certified to FAR Part 25. The C-172 is
certified to FAR Part 23. The Aircraft Functional Hazard Analysis is the
process by which both designers say "this failure mode has these
consequences, and therefore is allowed to happen only every xxx flight
hours". The Part 25 airplane has an extra zero on the number of hours,
therefore, the B-737 can be quantitatively stated to be 10 times safer than the
C-172.
2) We'd probably discover that the accident statistics (per hours,
per flight, probably by any measure) tell us that the B-737 is actually much
more than 10 times safer. There are more reasons for this than just pilot
training.
2a) B-737s are almost all operated under FAR Part 121 operating
rules. C-172s are almost all operated under FAR Part 91 operating
rules. The Part 91 operator can launch in zero-zero weather, start an
approach if the weather is below minimums, and even fly VFR at night. The
Part 121 operator cannot do the first two, and while they might legally be
allowed to fly VFR (I just don't know the rules on this one) I'd be astounded if
an airliner *ever* flew on a VFR flight plan.
2b) Airliners are almost always flown under positive control in
sanitized airspace. That's what the Class B airspace is all about.
Midairs just don't happen to airliners. (Yeah, I know it has happened, but
I hope you get the essential point here.)
2c) You just don't fly a B-737 without an ATP. You can fly a
C-172 solo with a student pilot's license. This is the issue that you were
raising. Hopefully I have shown you that there are other factors -- design
requirements and operating restrictions -- that add to the training requirements
to improve the safety of the airliner over the bug-smasher.
3) I have no idea whether anyone would pony up the cash to buy a
maximally safe kitplane. This is a key issue -- the market may be
demanding an inexpensive, though less safe, airplane. However, I don't
know that anyone has offered an alternative. It certainly didn't work for
Malcolm Bricklin!
Keep up the healthy discussion!
- Rob Wolf