NavList:

David,

Articles like the one you refrenced seem to discount the USA.  When it talks about aircraft with only mag. compass as ultralites that may be true in the UK but not in the USA.  Look at the numbers.  The UK has about 21,000 general avaiton aircraft and about 28,000 pilots.  The USA has over 200,000 GA aircraft ( about half the world total ) and over 600,000 pilots.  The USA has a lot more freedom flying than any other country.  You can build an ultralite aircraft yourself, no inspection or regesteran number, and you do not need a licence or any training to fly it.  You can have a 50 year old single prop without a radio and legealy fly it.

Many people fly with only mag compass, in the USA and to require a GPS or other area nav device to be installed would cost thousands of dollars.  Yes, the device may only cost a few hundred but it would have to be installed by a certified mechanic and inspected by a Federal ( FAA ) inspector.

I think the UK could easly go True course in the UK, but would be much more difficult in the USA.  IMHO  -------    YMMV

John H.  41N 100W