You are the President. You can make one major decision that will improve
civil aviation in America.

What would you do?


Assign all small airports protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Hire someone to head the FAA to do the following:
(This is akin to wishing for more wishes - "Poof!")

1. No Class III medicals needed for private pilot certificates.

2. No 138 mph speed limit for Sport Pilot.

3. LSA Gross Weight = 1700 lbs. (That would cover Cessna 152's, IIRC)

4. Part 103 Empty Weight of 400 lbs (up from 254 lbs).

5. No 63 mph speed limits for Part 103.

6. Up the Part 103 stall speed from 27 mph to 37 mph.

7. Lower the current 17 year manufacturer's (liability?) down to 8 years.
(That's fair)

8. GA planes older than 40 years old become 51% aircraft - and can be sold
as 51% aircraft to the next person.

9. Diesel Priority Program: Streamline the certification AND approval
process for diesel projects.

10. Lower (#7's) liability period to 5 years for diesel projects (Similar to
an Economic Development Tax Free Zone or a Duty Free shop)

AND FINALLY... "These go to 11."

11. OK for GA pilots to get paid - in a (L)imited role. (L-GA$)

A) No 100 hr inspections. Annual is still needed. [No medical. See #1.]
B) Ok to hold out for hire, etc.
C) No commercial license needed. However, you must sign up for L-GA$
D) One [paying] passenger per flight is Ok. Limit would be: Plane must only
have either 2 seats, or two people in the plane. This way you can't fly me
in your C-182 for $750, while my family rides free as your guests - in the
other two seats ...wink, wink.
E) Package courier service ok up to a certain MTOW (2,500 lbs? 3,000 lbs?)
F) Pilot must have 100 hrs.
G) Pass twice a year drug tests - one scheduled, one random.
H) Why not VFR? Sure. Maybe. IFR only? Don't know? Both is fine for now.
(It's your little business - if you're stuck on the ground all the time, or
constantly diverting, you'll lose customers)

IMHO, #11 would kick-start GA as much as (almost) anything else. $$$$$$$$$

[Big Brother? Or a bone thrown to the flying public?]

I'm thinking, if I'm the customer, I want a simple, accessible, on-line
log/record of:
1. Your past L-GA$ flights - similar to http://flightaware.com/ and some
others.
2. Plus, the plane when used in other L-GA$ flights.
3. Plus, the company's history of L-GA$ flights.
4. Plus some "basics" on your flying record.

As long as the Government doesn't set up the site, it should be quick and
easy to interface with.

IRS would be happy, too - "x number of flights claimed, huh? Let's take a
look-see." g


Montblack