PILOT SPIN
Spin Zone => Spin Zone => Topic started by: Anthony on May 04, 2017, 10:40:32 AM
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Since Sport Pilot was adopted, and the new class of Sport Pilot aircraft developed, I've had this sneaking suspicion that the Feds want to eventually make GA for real travel, either too expensive, too regulated, and not available to as many people as in the past. Yes, I tend to be anti collective, big gov't, and perhaps a bit paranoid about it, but with continued FAA requirements, rising fuel costs, rising maintenance, and repair costs, etc it seems the handwriting may be on the wall.
It could be conceivable the Feds do not like us having the ability to travel freely via GA, and be in the ATC system. They may consider it both a security risk, and an air traffic control issue. From my perspective, Sport Pilot has been a huge failure. I saw it as a way for the Feds to appease us, and channel us into flying around the patch, and not using GA for travel. Cost would be a major factor to funnel us into this path.
Thoughts?
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I dunno. I think Basic Med was a good first step, and the FAA is rewriting part 23 to let us use non certified components. Seems headed in the right direction to me.
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I dunno. I think Basic Med was a good first step, and the FAA is rewriting part 23 to let us use non certified components. Seems headed in the right direction to me.
Is this actually happening? I thought it had stalled?
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Is this actually happening? I thought it had stalled?
If they don't Congress will hold their feet to the fire. It is the law.
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Is this actually happening? I thought it had stalled?
We have the STC's now to put Garmin or Dynon equipment and there is talk of STC's for cheaper autopilots.
BTW, in 1978 there were 17+K general aviation aircraft delivered by the major manufacturers. Last year that number was 750.
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If they don't Congress will hold their feet to the fire. It is the law.
I know that Part 23 re-write is happening but I thought that was with regards to expediting the process of certifying equipment, not necessarily being able to use experimental equipment in certified aircraft.
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We have the STC's now to put Garmin or Dynon equipment and there is talk of STC's for cheaper autopilots.
BTW, in 1978 there were 17+K general aviation aircraft delivered by the major manufacturers. Last year that number was 750.
TruTrak and Trio are hoping to have their autopilots certified by Oshkosh for a few different platforms. I hope it happens, because the TruTrak looks very promising and is apparently very well regarded in the experimental world. I'd love to put a brand new autopilot into my Mooney for relatively cheap (compared to an upper model STEC).
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BTW, in 1978 there were 17+K general aviation aircraft delivered by the major manufacturers. Last year that number was 750.
Wasn't that due mostly to the tax code treatment of new aircraft, (accelerated depreciation???), and much lower cost of fuel, maintenance etc? It seems that aircraft acquisition, maintenance, repair, and operating expenses have gone up over time way past the rate of inflation for the same period.
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Wasn't that due mostly to the tax code treatment of new aircraft, (accelerated depreciation???), and must lower cost fuel, maintenance etc? It seems that aircraft acquisition, maintenance, repair, and operating expenses have gone up over time way past the rate of inflation for the same period.
Litigation Lottery, where the plaintiff owns most of the tickets.
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Litigation Lottery, where the plaintiff owns most of the tickets.
Didn't the Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 help the liability situation? Not that the cost of parts, aircraft, insurance went down. So I guess I answered my own question. NO!
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Didn't the Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 help the liability situation? Not that the cost of parts, aircraft, insurance went down. So I guess I answered my own question. NO!
Prior, it was killed. GA manufacturing became a zombie since. It seems alive, but it's not.
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Prior, it was killed. GA manufacturing became a zombie since. It seems alive, but it's not.
I know that GA manufacturing was dead, starting in the 1980's, then getting worse, and worse. I learned to fly in 1994 when this bill was passed, and had high hopes for GA. Every pilot, and aircraft owner I knew back then told me it was futile to get my ticket, and try to use GA for travel, and as a recreational pursuit, as the saw costs, regs, etc going through the roof. I did it anyway, and I am glad I did, but I fear, I am joining their ranks, but still have hope for personal aviation, albeit a small hope.
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In a word, no, FedGov is not trying to kill GA.
Looking at Drivers License Medical, the LSA ASTM approach, the coming Part 23 rewrite, and taking it back to the GARA, FedGov is actually trying to encourage GA, the real issues stem around obscene operating costs, it is simply a very expensive hobby between fuel, oil, insurance, training, maintenance, etc.
FedGov can only influence a couple elements of that, and their actions over the last 15-20 years have been a net positive with the exception of Trump's budget suggestion of privatizing ATC or moving to a fee-based ATC structure. The shrinking number of pilots and student pilot starts is due to the barriers of entry and they are focused almost exclusively on costs that FedGov can do little to influence directly.
'Gimp
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Government can't help itself. They always resort to overburdened regulation and rules that favor lawyers and liars, but I repeat myself.
It gets worse and better but even with cycles the death spiral is inevitably going to lead to collapse.
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Wasn't that due mostly to the tax code treatment of new aircraft, (accelerated depreciation???), and much lower cost of fuel, maintenance etc? It seems that aircraft acquisition, maintenance, repair, and operating expenses have gone up over time way past the rate of inflation for the same period.
https://blog.globalair.com/post/GARA-the-General-Aviation-Revitalization-Act-of-1994.aspx