How will the potential third class medical elimination affect the light sport economy

[gregsgt]

I'm excited about the potential third class medical elimination but can't help to wonder how it will affect the light sport aircraft economy.

It seems to me that if more capable aircraft will now be available for people to fly that demand for light sport aircraft will decrease dramatically although I think it will be great for general aviation as a whole.

I personally am on the fence about buying a LSA right now because if this goes through it makes more sense for me to get a larger aircraft.

I have no problem getting a special issuance but the time and the costs involved make the limited flying time I have cost prohibitive.

[Av8r3400]

The LS category will continue to exist for no other reason is there is a less stringent, e.g. less expensive, level of license.

I also hope that the legislation passes eliminating the class 3 medical, but remember that in order to fly a larger aircraft, the pilot must hold a more advanced license, recreational or private.

There are many LS certificated pilots that will continue to fly at the LS level.

[inzersv]

I would imagine that as the builder, I will continue to be able to do my own maintenance which I would not be able to do on factory built. So I will continue in the LSA category as many of us will. I have enjoyed the build process tremendously.

[Paul Z]

I believe it will kill the value of an SLSA. Why have a SLSA if you could fly a C172?

[Av8r3400]

…can't fly a 172 on a Light Sport license.

[Paul Z]

I have a private ticket, I just quit doing the physicals. I concur the LSA pilots will still need SLSAs. It will reduce the number of potential buyers significantly.

[gregsgt]

…can't fly a 172 on a Light Sport license.

But you can on a recreational certificate and there isn't a whole lot of difference between that and sport.

You can also have an experimental plane that is not light sport which would enable you to work on it on your own.

I just think this change is going to make the light sport certificate and light sport aircraft irrelevant. I would not want to be an SLSA manufacturer that has dumped all kinds of time and money into developing a light sport aircraft right now. Take the Icon A5 for example.