----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
Over the last several years on these lists we have heard many fine stories of what I think of as Sport Flying. Some involved a great local flight landing just into a beautiful sunset or the grand saga of Lynn Nelsen and his trip all around the country. I will go so far as to say the Ercoupe pilots for the vast majority are "Sport Pilots". That is to say we fly for the fun of it, the joy of it and we do not fly Coupes to try to make money. I am sure there is an exception or two but I feel that the vast majority of us fit this model (I am sure I will hear about it from those who see things differently). So why am I covering the obvious here. Well the FAA is about to make a new class of pilots which they call "Sport Pilots" and they define what aircraft they can fly. They call them "Light" aircraft and they must meet the following requirements: -- 1232 lbs. gross weight -- 39 Knots stall speed -- 87 Knots "max cruise" -- powered - single engine "normally aspirated -- unpressurized -- two occupants or less Well we miss out on gross weight by "18" pounds (415-C), we do not have a stall speed, most 75 or 85 hp. coupes will not do much over 87 knots and they will not with a good climb prop and we clearly meet the other requirement. If there ever was a case where an airplane fit the intent of the definition it should be our beloved Coupes. It was designed to be a safe fun sport plane and it has lived up to that design objective. So we have a great "Sport Plane" being flown by a great bunch of "Sport Pilots" and the FAA for 18 pounds will call us something else and keep us jumping through the full "Private Pilots" drill including the Medical. Oh, the Medical, we have heard many stories about the long process and great expense endured by some on the list and in the end they get two or three months of flying before they run out and have to start the process again. Did I forget to mention the good part of being a "Sport Pilot"? Well you can take your choice of having a third class medical or you have to have a "valid US Drivers License". I think most of us still have that. The FAA is planning to put out the NPRM (notice of proposed rule making) in January 2001 with a 90 day comment period. Then they will hold a Public Meeting at Sun N Fun 2001 and the final rule should be published and delivered at Oshkosh 2001. As I see it this is an issue that the EOC and everyone on this list should have a real interest in. We, I think want it to happen even in its current form. I also think that we can with constructive input through our leaders perhaps get the 415-C included. Many of us would keep flying many more years if this happened. I guess it would be good for the value of our aircraft and it just might be the key to some kind of new production of the Coupe. That may be to much to hope for but it would sure be good for us to be able to be included. Champs, J-3 and a bunch of other similar period aircraft will qualify. I hope we can put all of our differences aside for this one time and get a solid front to present our case to the FAA. It can be a strong case and we have some good people who can work the problem. We can get support from the EAA and AOPA and other similar groups. It will take time and great effort from our leaders. We must all support them, let them know what we want and them be ready to help when asked to write letters. I will look forward to hearing other views on this. More information can be found at http://www.aerosports.org/sport_pilot, _osh00.htm Have a great day. Best regards, Vern Hendershott 1949 415-G N94892 --------------------------------- to unsubscribe send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
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