In 1962 the passenger fatal accident rate was less than one passenger fatality per 100 million passenger miles. This is a figure which can be used to demonstrate the safety of flying relative to other forms of transport.

I am not going to discuss the merits of the criterion of “passenger miles.” Whatever one says about it the rate achieved last year does demonstrate a notable improvement on the pioneer days of aviation when the airline passenger achieved a reputation of daring by accepting the risks then present.