Press gets it wrong again

[Flying Illini]

ANY article, written on a technical subject, such as aviation, medicine, the law, etc...written by a layperson, will seem grossly inaccurate and inadequate to someone in that particular profession, such as a pilot, a doctor or a lawyer.

It happens everyday. That's just the way it is. Why get so wrapped up over it? It certainly won't change anything. Maybe each of you critics should write an article on cardio-vascular surgery tonight, and have it ready by tomorrow. Along with everything else you have to do. Then have a thoracic surgeon critique it. I'm sure they would find it totally accurate.

I have yet to read a poorly written article on cardio-vascular surgery. And even if I did, I would be hesitant to base my opinions on that article alone due to the other well written articles I have read on the same subject. A poorly written article on a subject such as surgery would do little to cause the general population to mistrust it (surgery) b/c it is such a common thing these days and it is a topic that many people are able to discuss on an educated level. Aviation however, has VERY few well written articles concerning it and since it is something that such a small number of the population has experienced (unlike surgery...if you haven't had surgery, someone you know has) the prime source of education comes from the media...even if it is a poorly done report. If it is done poorly, the general population won't recognize that. A poorly done report on surgery however would raise a few eyebrows among many more people than just the doctors.

This aviation article was NOT a technical article. It was not a "Why airplanes fly" kinda thing. This was just a poorly written (non-technical) article about an airplane that crashed. I would not try to write a "how to perform surgery" article w/o the help of a surgeon. I would however have no problem reporting on what happens, in general, in surgery. Pull up a few article from the internet and make a few phone calls to the local hospital and viola, I've got a well informed article with good references that is fit to be published. I also wouldn't include something to the effect of "unlike gas stations, hospitals are allowed to operate all night." which has nothing to do with the story.

There is no excuse for the media to do such a poor job of reporting concerning aviation and aircraft accidents. And the other thing that's got to stop, the speculation by the media as to why a crash occurred. All of a sudden you've got X number of people (everyone who read the paper) thinking a plane crashed trying to "beat the weather in" or something to that effect.

 

[Wankel7]

Update - I got a phone call from the newspaper this morning. They said they recieved my letter and it was under consideration. They said it may appear in the, "Letters to the editior" section in the next 10 days.

Wankel

 

[sky37d]

Way cool, Wankel

 

[Tripower455]

It is this kind of reporting that has led me to question the accuracy of ANYTHING I read or hear in the mainstream media. I figure that if they are getting the most basic facts about aviation wrong enough to for the readers to come to the wrong conclusion, then the stuff that I am not familiar with must have the same level of bad info.

I've lost count of the number of times that a friend or relative has come to me asking questions about an aviation related story. Many have argued that I was wrong, because Suzy Haircut on WBS news said otherwise (I only do this for a living). Much of the stuff that's come out since 9/11 comes to mind... EG: Pretty much every non aviation person I know thinks that all airline pilots are now armed and that airport security is tight enough to prevent another 9/11.

I have yet to read a poorly written article on cardio-vascular surgery.

Me either, but then again, I know very little about cardio-vascular surgery, so the reporting might be as messed up as anything aviation wise.


IMHO, the mainstream media couldn't care less about accuracy or bias, as long as they are selling newspapers or commercial time!

 

[Wankel7]

Update part Duex -

Got this letter from the writter -

Thank you for writing. I've received numerous calls and emails regarding the article and Newsday has run a correction on one factual error (the twin engine plane that crashed two years ago was not an amateur-built plane) and a clarification on one misleading statement in the article (pilots must register their planes with the FAA.) As for commercial flights at night, I understand they may be allowed in and out of other airports around the nation, but the area near MacArthur Airport has a night sound ordinance in place, prohibiting commercial flights after 11 p.m. If there's anything else you would like to discuss about the article, please feel free to email me your comments.

Thank you,
Denise M. Bonilla