Larry Dighera wrote:
On Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:28:16 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote in
:

The number of student pilots is
important. Those are folks that wanted to fly enough to at least
start the process. I'd really like to see the percentage of that
84,866 end up with a certificate. The AOPA should start a program to
contact those that don't an find out why they didn't finish.

That's an excellent idea. You should send it to AOPA.


Ok I will.


The other two numbers I find interesting are the rec and sports
pilots. The recreational pilot program has been around for years but
in just a few the sport pilot program has more than tripled it's
numbers.


One is about saving money; that's not very realistic, IMO.

The other is about saving money AND dodging the recurring medical
examination. That's significant to ageing baby boomers, I would
think.

That's a good theory. But if an RP, PP, CP or ATP is droping down to SP he
is still going to be counted at his old rating or not at all because they
only count RP, PP, CP and ATP if they have a medical. So old guy ATP who
just retired from flying 747s and decided he never wants a medical again
starts flying under SP rules he isn't going to be in that count.

So while I'm sure this first batch of SP holders in that count are mostly UL
pilots that have moved under the new rules and out of Part 103 that won't be
true at some point in the future.