The frustrating economics of aviation

"C J Campbell" wrote in message
...


That was the original idea for the recreational certificate and it is also
a
big part of the driving force behind Sport Pilot. Recreational Pilot never
worked because it saved almost nothing off the cost of a Private Pilot.
Sport Pilot may prove much more popular because it allows medical
self-certification. I have had half a dozen students now who took more
than
a year just to get a medical certificate. I think Sport Pilot may be
tailor
made for such people.



The adviocates of Rec Pilot thought it would produce a flood of new
students. If the big problem keeping the public from flocking to CFIs was
the difficulty in licensing, any lessening of that difficulty should produce
significant increases. It seems clear that Rec Pilot is producing almost no
results. It seems foolish to to keep making the process easier and easier,
when the public doesn't seem to be taking advantage of the previous efforts.
I seriously doubt that having an increase in accidents by these coddled
students will help the public's desire. That would do far more harm. No
matter what the current rules allow or what new rules are adopted, one can
argue if they were just a bit more relaxed the results would be astounding.
I don't see any evidence in that direction. It seems more a faith-based
desire.

Not everything some of us like to do is a good candidate for mass public
participation.

--
Scott