All:
"Heads up" people.There is an upcoming Part 61 Civil Aviation Regulations discussion/project,that will bring into being a Recreational Pilots Licence.

Conditions:

1 Passenger
Max Take off weight less than 1500 kg
Day VFR
Control Airspace/Zone entry
Doctors Certificate only (as for RAA,no CASA medical)

I won't elaborate on my thoughts,as to how in my opinion,this new licence category could have major implications for the RAA side of the aviation arena.I reckon that my last statement will cause some heated opinions,and discussions to come out of the woodwork for sure.I reckon that we may even see a whole new raft of"new"aircraft coming through to cater for this new category of licence.Imagine,what Jabiru,and some of the other major RAA category aircraft manufacturers,could do with the less than 1500kg weight limit.This new category,may be such,that some of the existing RAA category aircraft will be able to upgrade their avionic's,construction weight limit,carry more luggage etc..,to take advantage of the new category,controlled airspace/zone operation,and the extra payload,that can be carried,etc....Albeit,they will have to be VH registered,of course,to take advantage of this new licence categories priveledges.

The huge advantage of RAA is that you can do your own maintenance. If this new license would allow owner maintenance then it could be really interesting ...

Yeah,that may be so,Jack,but how many RAA aircraft owners,really know how to maintain their aircraft properly.Most of them rely on appropriately qualified LAME's to look after the day to day maintenance,of their pride and joy.

Is this regulated and monitored?

I'm not too sure about this sort of licence. Listen, it's great that perhaps this "new" licence would open up the skies and give more people access to general aviation.

But as we all know too well, do we want to make it so accessible that we're prepared to lower the bar just so more people can go flying? After all, the sky is a place where stuff-ups can be unforgiving. We all know that.

So really, why is this "new" licence being introduced?

I am all for it and I don't think it will lower the bar at all. Recipients of this license will still be required to pass a PPL test. This is not that easy as I am sure you will attest.

Tam:
As this new licence category,is coming out under the CASA umbrella (CAR's,etc..)what do you reckon.???.As the licence holder will be required to hold a PPL (albeit,maybe in a modified form training wise)CASA in my opinion will certainly have a finger in the pie monitoring/regulating wise.

Ninja:As to lowering the bar,well I don't think that will be occurring,with CASA regulating the category.In my thoughts,it would be a good venue for pilots that have gone through the pilot training process to gain their PPL,but have lost their medical certificate (similar to your situation),but still have the "itche",that only flying can cure.I think (don't quote me),that once a pilot has gone through the PPL training stream,and has gained that licence,it would make sense that he could drop back to the Recreational Licence,if and when he is unable to retain his Medical Certificate.It would be silly to make a qualified PPL,do the training again.He should be given the Recreational Licence,with it's reduced medical requirements only,not the rest of the PPL licence syllabus requirements.

Why is this "new" licence category being introduced,Well this,is where I could get myself into trouble with some of our RAA Downwinder's.As I intimimated in my original posting on this subject.This new category of licence,in my opinion,will have major implications on the RAA end of the aviation spectrum.Just in the fact that there is no CASA medical,to pass,just your local medico's opinion,and sign off,and also the fact that the weight limit has been pushed up to less than 1500kg,and your can now fly into Controlled Airspace/Controlled airports,will drag in a lot of those people that previously operated under the RAA umbrella,back under CASA's control,and regulation,as their aircraft will have to be "VH" registered ..As I said above.It could be a "build it and they will come",(or I will para phase that to "make it so,and they will come on board"),type scenario.Imagine if Jabiru could build an aircraft that would operate in the less than 1500kg Recreational Licence category.Imagine the extra luggage/fuel (endurance) etc..you could carry.

Also, the draft Part 61:
- recognises the RAA certificate so a simple transition from RAA to the proposed RPL
- permits aerobatics with the RPL

All good. Have a look at what is happening in other countries.

Yes,you are right,but the licence holder will need to have a PPL,and come under the CASA system,not RAA.By the way I have been checking on the net.The Cessna Sky catcher,and the Piper LSA,among many other European models,some aerobatic certified,will fit into the less than 1500kg category.We probably have not heard much about them before,due to them not being able to get into the 650kg weight limit,but now watch this space.

Raptor wrote:
...but the licence holder will need to have a PPL,and come under the CASA system,not RAA.No "buts" - RAA certificate holders would be able to transfer directly to RPL. Those starting GA from scratch can go directly to RPL without getting a PPL so it is a stand-alone licence category.
And, PPLs can wind them back to RPL status.

....but now watch this space.Yes indeed, especially as the RPL, in effect, is supposed to be introduced as an exemption in the short term.