www.PSFmagazine.com | February-March 2017 | 9 So, still the biggest single issue is “Third class medical reform?” Hmm, seems odd to me but I found it on the Internet so it must be true. The number two issue — hot on the heels of the number one issue —was the “Cost of flying.” It was not defined what cost this meant. Perhaps it was the overall cost. Or cost of operation. Or both. Likely, this was somewhat in the eye of the beholder. Conclude what you will but I found it fascinating that the medical and the cost of flying comprised two-thirds of the pilots responding. The values sum to 100% so you were permitted one answer. Both issues have been squarely addressed by Light Sport Aircraft for more than a dozen years, yet these remain the leading issues for GA pilots? Have they not looked at lsa? Do they not consider lsa ‘real’ enough airplanes? I ask these questions without knowing the answers, but it seems to me that some pilots are overlooking capabilities and values of lsa and light kit aircraft. Sure, I know some lsa are priced beyond what many pilots can afford. Yet lower cost options abound, with prices well below $100,000 and a few selections closer to $50,000 and even that is for fully-built, ready-to-fly aircraft. What about kits, some of which can get airborne for $30,000? If you accept alternatives like trikes, powered parachutes, or gyros, the “cost of flying” can be held quite low. At even lower cost are ultralights, some below $20,000, less than the average price of a new car. I have to wonder what these two-thirds of respondents are saying. Keep your aircraft choice under 1,320 pounds and you address both top issues. Do you get it? I don’t. Here’s the Shock Cub (Outback Shock in America) offered by Sportairusa. Its price is far below the well-selling CarbonCub and a fraction of any new GA model.
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