ORIGINAL: Gazzer
In respect of drawing a line, again, yes, the designer, builder and pilot take a share of responsibility for the creation, and flying, but there are flight line directors to supervise and take responsibility for aircraft being allowed to fly.
That the pilot thought it was OK and the flight line director did, means that opionion was at least 50% that the conditions were suitable.
Like I say, no way am I suggesting that the pilot does take some responsibilities but he is not doing so in isolation, that is to say his opinion is not the final one, and those tasked with certification and permissions must also have the right skills and experience to do so.
Not a flame, but merely an observation based upon your post.
In the civilian full-size world, the pilot is the final authority over whether:
A) An airplane is safe to fly.
B) The conditions are safe to fly in.
This authority cannot ever be delegated to the control tower, A&P, Inspectors, government aviation authorities, etc. It is always the pilot's responsiblity and his is the final word over whether an airplane takes off the ground or not. Others may offer opinions about whether the conditions are suitable for flight, but the final decision and responsibility for that decision always rests solely with the pilot. He cannot delegate that authority or responsibility for a safe flight to anyone else.
As a pilot, I would not want it any other way. The tower can say the conditions are safe to fly in and the mechanic can say the airplane is safe to fly, but if I, the pilot, believes either the conditions or the plane is unsafe, then it's my responsibiltiy to make the right decision and stay on the ground until the conditions have changed.
Dan