Doggzilla
Well-Known Member
I feel safe saying that most people think the LSA is simply not needed, and that it both handicaps ultralights, and otherwise good pilots who have lost their medical.
That said, the Single Engine Land rating is a VERY restrictive category if you think about it. VERY FEW models of aircraft are PURELY SEL. Almost all of the aircraft you would get a PPL to fly... require another rating. Be it complex or high power. But most pilots who get a PPL arent doing it for standard SEL aircraft.
Why shouldnt we allow an exempt SEL PPL in place of Sport, with clear and simple restrictions such as two person limit unless operating with another pilot, and slight weight restrictions of about 100lbs?
If anybody believes that a Sport is somehow safer with two people than a 150-180hp CEL WITH THE SAME WEIGHT OR NUMBER OF PEOPLE... that would be crazy. In just about ANY situation, a PPL SEL aircraft will be safer for the occupants, as well as healthier for the aircraft market.
Does anybody think that an aircraft manufacturer making 100-200 aircraft is not going to greatly appreciate 20-50 new orders from those who have lost their ability to fly because of their medical... but would still qualify for a Sport?
If anything, the PURE SEL class is safer for occupants, and better for the aircraft industry in general. I think we can all agree that losses of license and the limitations of sport licenses have created a HUGE burden on the aircraft industry and destroyed the entire market for some aircraft.
Anybody else feel this way?
It just seems like the Sport class revolves around losses of PPL and medicals... and provides nothing but a hindrance to the industry. I feel strongly that any given pilot would be safer with any given load when they are flying a SEL class aircraft. Less power and closer loading to gross are rarely if ever a good thing.
That said, the Single Engine Land rating is a VERY restrictive category if you think about it. VERY FEW models of aircraft are PURELY SEL. Almost all of the aircraft you would get a PPL to fly... require another rating. Be it complex or high power. But most pilots who get a PPL arent doing it for standard SEL aircraft.
Why shouldnt we allow an exempt SEL PPL in place of Sport, with clear and simple restrictions such as two person limit unless operating with another pilot, and slight weight restrictions of about 100lbs?
If anybody believes that a Sport is somehow safer with two people than a 150-180hp CEL WITH THE SAME WEIGHT OR NUMBER OF PEOPLE... that would be crazy. In just about ANY situation, a PPL SEL aircraft will be safer for the occupants, as well as healthier for the aircraft market.
Does anybody think that an aircraft manufacturer making 100-200 aircraft is not going to greatly appreciate 20-50 new orders from those who have lost their ability to fly because of their medical... but would still qualify for a Sport?
If anything, the PURE SEL class is safer for occupants, and better for the aircraft industry in general. I think we can all agree that losses of license and the limitations of sport licenses have created a HUGE burden on the aircraft industry and destroyed the entire market for some aircraft.
Anybody else feel this way?
It just seems like the Sport class revolves around losses of PPL and medicals... and provides nothing but a hindrance to the industry. I feel strongly that any given pilot would be safer with any given load when they are flying a SEL class aircraft. Less power and closer loading to gross are rarely if ever a good thing.
