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On July 29, 2024, the latest developments at AirVenture were expected to center on the ongoing issue of unleaded fuel. However, attendees were met with vague assurances from FAA, EAGLE, and ASTM officials who reiterated that they are "working on it." The lack of concrete progress left many in the aviation community frustrated.
In an unexpected turn, attention shifted to a significant concern within flight training standards during an interview with Doug Stewart, the newest inductee into the Flight Instructors' Hall of Fame. Stewart's alarming assessment highlighted the negative impact of the 1500-hour rule on pilot competence.
The rule, enacted by Congress following a fatal accident involving Colgan Air in Buffalo, New York, aimed to ensure that pilots logging 1500 hours would be adequately experienced. However, Stewart argues that this has resulted in pilots reaching this milestone with minimal solo flying experience—sometimes as little as ten hours.
