>
 . . . Mark do you want government mandated airbags
> in your airplane? I really don't think new cars are much more
> comfortable either, unless you buy the options intended for that
> purpose. The safest 4 wheel vehicle I drive isn't a car, but rather a
> 6000 pound pickup truck with the seat belt on. . .
> Bill Jepson
>

I'm one of those of a libertarian bent--I'd be happy with no
government-mandated airbags in cars, no motorcycle helmet laws, no
mandatory seatbelt use and a clear understanding that govt-provided
emergency health care, rehab, and disability benefits will not be
forthcoming if you weren't wearing a helmet or using a seatbelt.  But,
in the real world, our society won't allow this to happen: we take care
of people who are negligent/stupid.   So, unfortunately, since I will
pay the price for the dumb behavior of others, I favor very minimally
intrusive laws to reduce my costs.  It's not an ideologically pure
position, but deals with the world as it is.

I do worry about General Aviation as government intrudes into more and
more areas.  There are very few developed countries where a qualified
pilot can rent an airplane, take off, and just fly around without
telling a soul where he's going.  It's a great thing, and I'm afraid it
won't last forever, especially if people come to regard petroleum as
some kind of public resource rather than private property.

Sorry for the political detour.

Mark W.