Michael wrote:
All good points but a huge difference between flying and riding a Harley is
the amount of time from when you start spending money until you start having
fun.

I'm not convinced that's true. I know that most people (at least in
Houston) who buy a Harley who have never ridden before take a course
that starts Friday evening, goes all through the weekend, and I think
there's some finishup Monday. That would be enough time to solo a
tri-gear LSA.

For those who really must have the one-day training course, there is
always the powered parachute.

Which raises an interesting question about focusing more effort on
making an airplane that is simpler to fly. Langewiesche talked about
designing out the need for the rudder and things like drag brakes that
made altitude/airspeed control easier.

I've thought that the magic formula would be if you had a course of
instruction that could be finished in 7 days. Then you set up schools
in vacation destinations. Dad (or mom) takes flying lessons during the
day while the SO plays golf or gets spa treatments and the kids splash
in the pool.

-cwk.