SportPilotTalk.com Shutting Down in August

[admin]

Hi Folks -

The SportPilotTalk.com hosting plan is coming up for renewal in August and quite frankly I think it is time to shut down. The renewal fee is $314 for 3 years. Interest in the sport pilot certificate and light sport aircraft never really took off (no pun intended) and this forum gets very little use.

If anyone is interested in purchasing the site please send me an email [email protected]

Otherwise thanks for being a SportPilotTalk member and I wish you all tailwinds!

Gerald

[3Dreaming]

That's a shame. There is some great information archived here. I see it pop up from time to time when making a Google search about sport pilot related subjects.

[yabiah]

A shame, indeed.
I agree with Mr. Baker (3Dreaming) "There is some great information archived here".
Hopefully, someone will hear the calling and keep it alive.
Tim

[chicagorandy]

Thanks for creating/hosting this informative forum. It is unfortunate that the Sport Pilot/Light Sport invention has turned out to be 'less than affordable' and impractical for the masses who wanted something simple but more than Ultralights. Perhaps new legislation down the road allowing 150's/172's etc to be flown by Sport Pilots will renew interest in the potential for this rating.

[Sling 2 Pilot]

So sad to this forum fly west. To those I’ve interacted with here and those who provided their wisdom on all matters Light Sport, I say a heart felt Thank You!

[HornedFrogGrant]

This is really a bummer. Although the forum isn't all that active, it's an amazing resource for information that has already been discussed.

[Type47]

Perhaps the sport pilot segment is about to explode.
What with the mosaic changes coming.
Are you stopping 100 feet from the summit?
Maybe appeal for donations?
I’m in if you do.

[SportGA]

I agree that the timing is unfortunate. I've been waiting for MOSAIC with bated breath, and here it is. The comment period will be critical and we need a unified voice. With that said, I'm in for helping share the cost of the website/forum renewal.

[drseti]

I agree that, with MOSAIC just released for public comments, this would be an unfortunate time to call it quits. Although I am not in a financial position to either subsidize or acquire the domain, I will be happy to continue moderating for as long as the site exists

[JJay]

Dr. Shuch is correct. Anyone else besides me notice how much the activity on this forum has increased in the last week or two?

I have no interest in running a public forum (again - been there, done that), but I'd have no problem contributing $50 or $100 to keep this one alive for another three years. What about a GoFundMe account, or Patreon, or some other public funding scenario?

[Atrosa]

I'm in on donating too.

[yabiah]

I too, am willing to donate to keep the forum up and running.

[drseti]

Clearly, there is support among our SportPilotTalk family for keeping this valuable resource alive. Thank you for all the enthusiastic responses.. Several of you have already said you are willing to kick in to help subsidize the site hosting costs.

I've spoken to Gerald, the owner of this domain, and he's agreed to renew the hosting contract if he receives $300 in donations. I propose that just six of our members each kick in $50, by PayPal to [email protected]. Gerald has stated that if the donations fail to reach $300, he will issue refunds to the donors.

Let's try to make this happen by 1 August (just one week from now). If donations exceed the $300 target, that will renew the site for that much longer.

Safe Skies,
Paul (your volunteer forum moderator)

[Atrosa]

Will he accept Venmo? If not I will open a PayPal account.

[admin]

Hi Guys - quick update - I may have a potential buyer so hold off on the donations for now please.