MYRTLE BEACH -- Since 2005, there have been 107 plane crashes in the state of South Carolina. Most of those crashes involved private pilots.
A national study shows that nearly 45% of plane crashes occur with pilots who have fewer than 100 hours of training.
But one private pilot and flight instructor says the Federal Aviation Administration does its job to make sure pilots meet their standards.
"Here in the States is one of the safest places in the world for flying, for general aviation pilots that own their own airplane," said Edson Teske of the Myrtle Beach Flight Club.
The FAA only requires private pilots to have a minimum of 40 training hours. That's almost 200 hours fewer than what is required of commercial pilots.
Even so, Teske insists private pilots are not any less qualified.
"Speaking myself as an instructor, I'll never, ever sign off somebody if I'm not sure that person is qualified, is trained, to do the job. No matter if it is a private pilot, commercial pilot, or a flight instructor like me," he said.
The General Aviation Manager of the Horry County Department of Airports, different pilots are trained different ways.
For example, those seeking to fly at night typically require more skills.
"Much like driving an automobile, it's much more difficult at night. Your senses are much less attuned and it's much more difficult...period," said Mike Marlowe.
Marlowe added all pilots also go through extensive weather training where they learn to forecast the weather.
"Weather plays a large part in whether or not to go. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, icing, fog, all of those things have to be taken into consideration before you fly across the country," said Marlowe.
He says weather and flying at night are two of the biggest causes of accidents.
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