Pattern Wars: Part Deux - AVweb

You folks who are screaming for mandatory radios need to remember that not everyone flies out of the airports that you do. There are many many airports out here that see precious few operations in the average day. At those places a requirement to have and use a radio is pointless and only serves to further limit the pool of folks who actually fly. My take is we need more Controlled fields - because that’s what you’ve been saying. If you think everyone ought to have to talk - that airport needs a control tower. Perhaps a third category of semi controlled - would be in order. A semi controlled airport would require radios and their use, but other airfields could remain uncontrolled as they currently exist. This would be consistent with the recent airspace management program of placing additional requirements for entry into certain airspace (Mode C, ADSB etc) while still maintaining freedom. Just an idea. I just think calling for more regulation is always a bad idea.