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Airwork: Ours Is Not to Reason Why

A basic gear simulator in a Kitfox. Nigel Moll
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • General aviation faces a critical juncture, with declining participation, and needs industry-wide collaboration with the FAA to revise regulations, making flying safer, less expensive, and more attractive.
  • The author critiques several Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) for imposing unnecessary costs and complexities, such as the 10-hour in-flight complex aircraft training for commercial pilots that could be satisfied by simulators, and the arbitrary definition of high-performance aircraft.
  • Further regulatory inconsistencies are highlighted, including the illogical prohibition against crediting sport pilot instructor time towards a private pilot certificate despite similar practical test standards, and the differing medical requirements for sport versus recreational pilots.
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(January 2011) — Our industry is at an en route intersection. One airway leads to continued reduction in student starts, lack of retention of students and pilots, decline in flight activity and security-based encroachments on our privileges. On the other airway we might be able to sustain healthy growth and an expansion of the utility and pleasure of general aviation.

In order to wend our way along that more desirable course, we, as the aviation industry, need to involve aircraft manufacturers, flight schools, training material providers, user advocacy organizations, the Federal Aviation Administration and other stakeholders in developing new and better ways of making aviation safer, less expensive and more attractive to more people.

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