I would prefer that any changes to the airman's written test primarily
result in increased safety not numbers.

I'm not sure what can be added to a written exam that will increase the
safety of a pilot in the air -- but I'd entertain suggestions.

With the advent of GPS satellite navigation equipped aircraft it seems
more appropriate to _ADD_ GPS related questions to the test.

On the surface this appears more logical than asking about VORs, but asking
about GPS is still testing OPTIONAL knowledge. To fly, all you really need
is a sectional map and a compass -- and I know guys who fly safely without
*those*.

Again, do we want to make flying more accessible, or are we trying to keep
it exclusive? I fear that if we continue to weed people out, we will find
ourselves more and more alone at the airports as the early Baby Boomers --
who make up a huge percentage of active pilots -- start to die out.

And when that happens, what happens to the FBOs? The avionics guys?
Airport funding? We're already fighting to "only" lose one airport every
14 days in this country -- and it will only get worse. We need more
pilots.

Sport Pilot will hopefully be the answer, but I'm not holding my breath.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"