The FAA is doing much like the FCC did with Hams. Both hobbies
are dying. Kids are just not lining up to get licensed. Thus a
need for an entry level license. BTW, the only hobby that seems
to be growing is RC cars and aircraft.

Something as expensive as aviation will never be the province of "kids." They
need to target those with some means. And building a plane that is economical
enough to actually compete with driving on medium journeys might be a good
start. SP craft might be the starting point.