I will stick my neck out here and just GUESS that the Canadian rules make sense for them....
The population of small airplanes are scattered across a lot of often very remote land area, and access to licensed technicians / mechanics may not be reasonable given the weather and relatively short flying season (and correspondingly short work season for aircraft technicians - what to do during the long winters when there isn't as much work?). With such a historically low population density the risk of a small plane crashing & causing deaths outside of the aircraft occupants is probably a bit lower than in the US. Doctors and physicals / medical should be much more accessible, and physicians should have adequate demand to work year round. With regards to Ralph & Al's comments; I've seen work by FAA licensed A&P mechanics that was not acceptable to me, and I've seen owner maintained aircraft that were well cared for and in outstanding condition. I think what passes as 'acceptable' may vary a bit more among individual owners. Licensed or not, it's mostly up to the individual as to what quality of work is actually done - some great, some poor. That's why I have been and will continue to have owner assisted annuals. Dan H N3968H ----- Original Message ----- From: Jerry Eichenberger To: James B. Brennan ; rl1360 Cc: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:27 AM Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Over Kill? Remember that the "enlightened Canadians" don't have a sport pilot rule, and require medicals. I think, but am not 100% sure, that you even have to have a medical to fly a glider in Canada. I'll take our sport pilot rule, and our glider pilot rules, any day, over owner performed maint. Sport pilot can affect any pilot, and probably will affect most of us someday. Owner maint. only applies to those who can do their own maint. competently, which sure isn't me. Jerry E. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of James B. Brennan Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:00 PM To: rl1360 Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Over Kill? Dose anyone else feel that small, light, uncompliacated aircraft are over regulated? Not just the Ercoupe but any 100HP 100MPH two seat go up to enjoy the view airplane have too many rules. I know there is nothing that can be done about it but it seems like over kill.... over kill - I've been dead for years - they use me for a hangar doorstop - OF COURSE IT IS STOOPID - look at the enlightened Canadians - they let owners of such aircraft be their own "A&P - IAs" (albeit they have yet to get on the Sport Pilot wagon, but you wait - they are apt to follow the UK in dumping the dreaded Medical for casual aviation. (Does the FAA reckon that I should climb into a casket just because I cannot do an Ironman Triathalon which has no bearing on flight control? I've been Sport Pilot for 3 years now, and I still sometimes feel mentally wrung out after a flight, but never a med. hitch. ____heads. You DO NOT HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A STONE WALL (Physical capability) {I'm in New England where there are hundreds of miles of stone walls} to manipulate aircraft controls. Duhhh.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1431 - Release Date: 5/13/2008 7:55 PM
