Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Drivers License Medical-150 value spike???

I noted with interest the petition the EAA/AOPA is submitting to the FAA regarding a/c with 180 hp or lower w/2 seats being allowed to fly with a pilot's drivers license as a medical...if passed, do you think the value of our birds will appreciate to any degree? I was planning on selling soon but might just wait a few more years if this is the case...your thoughts?

It sure won't hurt, and it's too early to say. What I read this morning indicated up to 4 seats, up to 180 hp, fixed gear, single engine. But it's too early in the game to get wrapped up in detail yet.

We just completed a refurbish of an Ercoupe. I bought into the partnership with a plane value of $28,000. After two years, we decided to have a complete overhaul and put another $24,000 into it. (Engine, and practically every other moving part).

We insure the Ercoupe for $32,000 which about all the insurance company will allow.

When you consider that Ercoupes that met the LSA were selling for $12,000 before LSA came into being, that's quite a jump.

So, yes, I think there will be a spike. But there are far fewer certified LSA aircraft which really drove up the price. If the plan takes effect (I expect the approval process will take three to five years) and include C150 and even four seat aircraft, there would be so many of them, I don't expect a huge increase in value.

Mark, If you will follow the money. You will realize how much of it LSA manufacturers have dumped into producing LSA qualified aircraft. In which the driver's license medical is the prime selling point. What do you think will happen if the FAA then copped out on the LSA manufactures and upped the weight limit to include heavier aircraft? I am sorry Mark, but I am afraid that this is all only an illusion of smoke and mirrors on behalf of EAA and AOPA.

Bill
Grants Pass, Oregon

Awe Bill, I think your pessimism has clouded your mirror.

At least let a guy dream a little will ya.

I do not think the proposal (at least the way I read it) is to increase the requirements of the LSA license, rather simply to allow a Private to use the same drivers license self certification of medical but with limitations attached.

The one I read said a 4 seat aircraft qualifies, but only with 2 soles on board (similar to LSA). Other similar restrictions may apply. I would welcome this of course as I continue to fight the T2D battle and may one day lose and have to go on drugs. It would be nice to keep flying my Cherokee without the loss I would take in selling it.

I really would love to do just that, Ron. But, if Mark is looking to get the maximum dollar for his 150, I believe that we need to be realistic and face the facts. Presently prices are still falling on our 150's. Just a few years back you would need to pay right around $20,000 for a decent 150. Now you will find numerous airplanes down into the mid teens, or lower. Presently there are now 7 non-project 150's on Barnstormers alone for $15,000 and under. And I do not believe there will be a turn around in this economy just within the next few years.

The FAA opened up a whole new class of aircraft with Light Sport. Manufacturers have spent upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars each in designing and developing aircraft to qualify for this market. What is the primary caveat of going LSA? Doing away with that third class medical requirement. And of the pilots selling their current aircraft to go LSA, what is their primary reason for doing so? Again, to do away with that third class medical requirement. What will happen if the FAA takes away that caveat from the LSA market? I believe the answer is quite obvious. And thus the reason I believe it will never happen.

No Ron, I am not being a pessimist. Just realistic.

Bill
Grants Pass, Oregon

You may be right, Bill, but I hope you are wrong. I think AOPA and EAA have a good chance of convincing the FAA to change this because it would save millions for the FAA in administrative costs in dealing with the III Class. I read last night the requirements and priveleges (see AOPA's website). We would be limited to Recreational Pilot priveleges, which has some pretty limiting restrictions. But it is a step in the right direction. The Sport Pilot license was sold on the basis of reducing the costs of flight training, although some of us more seasoned pilots like the driver's license medical.

I apologize for the false information...it is up to 4 seats but 1 pass. limit...it's not that I'm in a hurry to sell, just would rather purchase a super cub for less than a new Rans/Kitfox/LSA if the drivers lic. medical was available (agree with Bill's analysis here $$$)...

It will happen in three to five years. The aircraft manufacturers and the FAA need to keep as many people flying as possible.