Small planes can now do more jobs, and more people can fly them

The US aviation regulator has loosened rules for small, lightweight aircraft. This means more types of small planes can be used for things like flight training and limited commercial work, and more pilots can fly them.

For years, the rules for small aircraft limited their use and who could fly them, often pushing pilots towards more complex and expensive options. This change makes it easier and cheaper to get into aviation, potentially expanding the pool of pilots and the uses for these smaller planes. It also simplifies the process for experimental aircraft, including those supporting space launches.