Pilots have been complaining about FAA regulations (and those of its predecessor agencies) since the first aviation rules were issued in the 1920s. A lot of that complaining stems from the aviation media constantly bombarding us with horror stories of over-regulation and how it’s killing general aviation. The reality is very different, at least for pilot certification under FAR Part 61 and flight operations under Part 91.
These regulations represent bare minimum standards and cannot ensure safe operation in the real world. For example, they allow us to fly fatigued, to fly instrument approaches in zero-zero weather and to take off in those same conditions. Meanwhile, most commercial operators are prohibited from landing or taking off in weather that poor, and also must comply with crew rest rules. The challenge for most of us is deciding when the FARs’ minimum standard are enough, when they’re not and what is a suitable replacement.
