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Piloting Airplane Easier Than Ever
Imagine if buying an airplane were as easy as getting a new pickup. Thanks to relaxed regulations for a new category of plane, that's exactly what's happening. A new breed of "sport plane" makes it much easier for an average person to own their own plane and you can get a pilot's license by attending a brief ground school course and logging just 20 hrs. of flight.
  The new planes, available from a variety of manufacturers, are priced from $39,000 to $65,000 compared to $150,000 or more for even a modest conventional plane. In addition to being less expensive - and more safe than kit-built planes or ultra-lights - the licensing procedure is much less stringent. For example, there's no requirement for a medical exam. If you're healthy enough to drive a car, you're healthy enough to fly a plane.
  The light sport planes generally carry two people, weigh a maximum of 1,200 lbs., and have a top speed of 130 mph.
  You can get more information on the planes, and the just-released new regulations, at these sites:
http://www.eaa.org/
http://www.faa.gov/
http://www.airventure.org/


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2003 - Volume #27, Issue #6