Scudrunners

It was touched on in another thread but I didn’t want to hijack that one to expand on my thoughts so here’s it is:

I wish the US was cool with Canadian Owner Maintenance planes. They basically live up to the same maintenance standards as homebuilts, which are already allowed to cross the border, but have all begun as rigorously tested designs so are arguably safer. As a reciprocal nod (because nothing is going to be free), I think TC should change their Ultralight regs to allow American Light Sport Aircraft in. It would require a small bump to allowed MTOW and that’s about it.

In the grand scheme of governmental affairs these changes would be nothing and carry a risk of close to zero from what we currently have while almost certainly leading to more flying on both sides of the border (especially ours) which sells more gas, employs more rampies, and most importantly for the guys who sign off on the laws it will collect more tax.

I think if you can sell it as somehow generating revenue from tax and “create jobs” on top of it; should be an easy sell.


I know nothing of the owner maintenance program. I for one support it, but that’s self serving.

One thing that is disappointing is that harmonized medicals is getting no traction from TC management.

It is silly that a recreational pilot with a Canadian class 4 medical can’t fly in the US and a US recreational pilot with a basic med can’t fly in Canada.

They are basically the same thing and the accident record shows that pilots with those types of medicals don’t have any higher incidence of in flight medical issues than pilots holding Class 1 medicals.

You can probably dodge the medical issue easily if you have a plane that is allowed in the US. Go hang out at a FTU. Find someone looking to build time.*

They log PIC and away you go. I bet you can even find a skinny one to save weight. Be nice so they don’t abandon you leaving you and your place stranded.



* Remember to observe all necessary protocols and local laws regarding pandemics.