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Dudes - I used to own an Ercoupe (got my private ticket in it in 1976 - no restrictions on the rudder pedal thing) and have 750 hours in a 415-c model. I've migrated thru the years from the Ercoupe thru a couple of Cherokees and more recently a couple of Mooneys most recently a M20J - (201 to you Ercoupe Guys). I got on the e-mail list to research the Ercoupe because I want a fun plane to fly rather than the utility of the Mooney (I rarely fly it for the fun of it - I'm always using it for travel) although the Mooney is fun to fly too. I thought I would share some thoughts based on recent postings. Regarding the medical issue - I'm 46 with 2600 hours and have had quadurple bypass surgury less than two weeks after renewing my third class physical (no clue it was coming either). I got my medical back (acutally its a Authorization for Special Issuance) within 2 weeks of the required 6 month waiting period (thanks to the help of the Atlanta District office of the FAA Medical divison and the AOPA for guidance. I've been able to maintain my physical with an annual stress test and sending the results to the FAA. If I had not been able to get my medical back, I would have had no choice to go the sport/ultralight route to continue flying. But I would have kept flying. Am I safe to fly - yes - Safer than before surgury. Did my third class medical detect any problem with my health - hell no. Should the third class medical be required? Sure - it it finds one person with a problem then it is worth it for all of us. There are aviation alternatives for those of us that are unable or unwilling to be subjected to a physical. Perhaps the physical should be more thorough after a certain age (like the first class) but that would be cost prohibitive and be a restriction on our personal freedom to fly. The bottom line is the system works - if you work with it. There are plenty of old guys (and ladies) flying and thats cool. We have all learned from them and will continue to do so. Most pilots demonstrate common sense and will know when they should or should not fly - whether it be a bad cold or old age. The medical requirement is already self regulating. It's interesting to see the different view points of the people that participate on this and other web posting sites. Thanks for the continued insight of flying and human nature and fly safe Steven ================================================================== TO UNSUBSCRIBE go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
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