Such a rule change is a frightening thought. Every plane and motor/engine designed to be competitive under the current rules would be obsolete overnight. All the manufacturers tooling, jigs, designs etc would be junk. Talk about an expensive change, there is nothing cheap about such a proposal. Just convincing manufacturers to stay involved in a small market and start over would be a major task.

There is not that much difference in airframe costs right now. The Vanquish is $850, the Wind 110 is $600. Similar construction methods. If you want a smaller aircraft that is composite, costs will be right back up there over $2000, if you are lucky. A lot more if the manufacturers want to amortize their new startup costs ever the first 100 out the door.


John