Light Sport Weight Limit

[JimParker256]

The problem is that the government does not really work "for us" (meaning GA pilots) - Government is supposed to do the will of the "majority" while protecting the rights of the minority. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the US Constitution concerning "rights" to fly. A clear oversight by the founding fathers!

And let's face it, the "majority" could care less about our desires to fly bigger, faster airplanes. That majority is busy being concerned about the noise we make, the lead and pollution our aircraft put into the atmosphere, and the "incredible danger" they face when all of us "rich playboys" fly our "expensive toys" over their property.

Just don't touch their powerboats!

And just to be clear - I DO NOT support ANY of those positions. I'm just pointing out that sometimes, we're lucky to get the protections we do get, in the face of a majority that could care less about private aviation, and sees us as more of an annoyance than a benefit. Until they need us... Then it's a different story. (See many stories about airlifts into hurricane / tornado ravaged areas and locations that were otherwise inaccessible.)

[Type47]

The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We are not “lucky” to have our freedoms.
They were bought and paid for by the blood of patriots.
And they will need to be again, I fear.

[JimParker256]

The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We are not “lucky” to have our freedoms.
They were bought and paid for by the blood of patriots.
And they will need to be again, I fear.

Having served for 8+ years in the US Army, I am certainly well aware that "freedom" is not "free"... But as I'm sure you know, the quotation about "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is taken from the Declaration of Independence. But that language (or anything remotely similar) is found NOWHERE in the US Constitution...

The difference is that the former was written to justify rising up against the existing government (or to justify sedition and treason, as our British friends would say - LOL), while the latter was written as a foundation for actual government. And since "happiness" is something that comes from inside yourself, it is not something a government can provide to its citizens. Certainly, there are things Government can do that would make achieving happiness difficult (if not impossible), but I've known multi-millionaires with numerous houses, a slew of airplanes, and magnificent lifestyles that were not "happy" at all...

One need only look to Europe to see how "lucky" we are to be able to fly pretty much anywhere, at any time, without "approval" from anyone in government, and (generally) without paying exorbitant "fees" for the privilege of doing so. Australia and New Zealand are the only other two places I can think of with remotely similar freedoms when it comes to aviation – and they've got their share of challenges as well.

My bigger point was that we (personal flight advocates and pilots) are a very small minority in the USA, and that our government (specifically the FAA, in this case) IS supposed to protect our rights (and privileges) from the oppressive will of a majority that might well want to see us STOP doing what we love doing so much. So far, I believe they've done a reasonable job of that. Not perfect, but a "reasonably good" job...

Given the great perceived risk in approving any "loosening" of regulations – especially post 737 Max fiasco – I'm really pretty amazed (and even excited) that the FAA is still apparently moving ahead toward recommending rule changes that may open up even more capabilities for Sport Pilots. Based on industry "insider" reports, there's apparently hope of the FAA delivering an NPRM on this topic sometime in the not-too-distant future. We're already in the "blackout" stage where they stop asking for pre-NPRM input. If it were not for the 737 Max fiasco sucking up so much of the available FAA brainpower, they would likely have been able to move this proposal significantly further down the road. As it is, we're just going to have to wait and see...

But then, I'm a "glass half full" guy...

[designrs]

I've known multi-millionaires with numerous houses, a slew of airplanes, and magnificent lifestyles that were not "happy" at all...

Sorry to hear that. Have them send the fund$ my way ASAP.
I guarantee you, I know what to do with it and I will be very happy!

[Type47]

I believe anyone who wants to beg for a half glass of water should be free to do so.
I will not.

[JJay]

The optimist sees a glass half full.
The pessimist see a glass half empty.
The Engineer sees a glass twice as big as it needs to be.