[publiusF27]

I have used the example of a private pilot flying from one part of the state to another. An intrastate, non-commercial activity that you say should be off-limits to Congress (the FAA).

No, I have never said that. The sky is just like a navigable river, which has always been treated as a channel of commerce. BTW, I'm well aware of the need for that kind of regulation, and the usefulness of national and international standards. I'm a former flight instructor, and have a commercial airplane and glider license, though I haven't flown in about 10 years.

[robertpaulsen]

"I'm well aware of the need for that kind of regulation"

As to when and where you can fly, private pilots aren't regulated -- by that I mean, as long as you stay out of controlled airspace, you can take off and land and fly wherever you want without federal control, correct?

So, your intrastate activities are not regulated by the federal government. Only when those intrastate activities have a substantial effect on interstate commerce, does the FAA get involved.

I'm not a pilot, so excuse me if I oversimplified. But I hope you see the general point I'm trying to make.

[Mojave]

The sky is just like a navigable river

Cite, please.