8 | February-March 2017 | Powered Sport Flying The sleek and highly refined BRM Aero Bristell is a handsome, superb-flying choice, a model in perhaps its fifth generation of evolution. Light Sport Aircraft by Dan Johnson What Are Pilots’ “Most Important Issues?” What issues are “most important” to general aviation pilots for 2017? Are “general aviation” pilots different than those of you who read ByDanJohnson.com? The second question can only be answered by each of you, independently. My guess is that while you might consider yourself a GA pilot, you might also — or distinctively — consider yourself a “recreational” or “sport” pilot. Whatever label you prefer, I found the following chart of interest. The question was posed in an earlier edition of Aviation eBrief and after some compilation they released the results. I don’t know the current count of eBrief readers but it was once something like 65,000. Neither do I know, nor do they state, how many responses were used to compile these stats. My guess is that it was a large enough sample to be valid. The survey asked about “third class medical reform” even though this has already been done... well, done in the sense that the plans are now laid but not yet fully implemented. aopa reported, “Medical reforms have been passed by the House and Senate, and signed into law.” This action occurred on July 15th, 2016, even before last summer’s Oshkosh. The survey was done since that time. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Third class medical reform Cost of ying FAA reauthorization and user fees Finding an avgas replacement Preparing for the ADS-B Out mandate 33.02% 32.43% 19.52% 7.73% 7.30% What is the most important issue for general aviation in 2017? The results from the poll question in Aviation eBrief do not necessarily represent the views of pilots, aircraft owners of AOPA members and therefor should not be used for research purposes. Good news for GA pilots regarding their top concern! According to AOPA Online, The Federal Aviation Administration has reviewed the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s aeromedical online course and confirmed that it meets the third class medical reform requirements that Congress created last summer. Pilots would need to complete the course, which AOPA will offer for free, every two years in addition to seeing their personal physician every four years to operate under the law. note–These steps are not required for anyone flying a LSA or Sport Pilot-eligible kit aircraft.
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