” “That program didn’t have a business model that worked,” he said.”
No kidding! An “inexpensive” airplane became $150,000. I can buy all kinds of good airplanes with better characteristics for less money.
The idea was capitalize on the “Light Sport Aircraft” (LSA) market. That market wanted airplanes in the $25,000 to $65,000 price range at most.
An LSA is an airplane that weights no more than about half of what other airplanes weight, have weaker engines, and only require a Sport class license that allows a pilot to fly at his local airport during the daytime and only require about half the regular pilot training and use a driver’s license as the medical certificate instead of an FAA Medical Examiner performing a flight physical.
It was really about medically unqualified pilots, and people desiring to be pilots but medically unfit, that just wanted to get into the air. Some say it was about reducing costs for people only wanting to fly some. For some people that was true. The airplane market really does want to cut costs, but some used the opportunity to try to cheat the system.
Amplify this comment, please. I believe I understand what you want to say, but do not want to assume anything.
Which "opportunity"?
"Cheat" in what way?