According to an Avweb exclusive, AOPA thinks the venerable Cessna 152 may be the trainer of the future and therefore the hoped-for key to affordable flying. It entered into a secretive (not any more) project to see if it's right. AOPA has confirmed that it is currently refurbishing a number of 152's with some modern avionics to determine if affordable training and ownership can be culled from the existing fleet.

Practicality, reliability, training and ownership affordability and rental potential is the focus of the project to demonstrate to flying clubs and flight schools that refurbished existing trainers can be effectively and efficiently used to attract new pilots, grow the pilot population and significantly reduce flying costs.

The greatest fear of SLSA producers has been that the FAA would consider an increase to the max weight to include 150/152's. That doesn't look like it will happen, at least in the foreseable future. However, this AOPA initiative, if implemented, may offer the elephant in the room another way to bust loose. If I was a SLSA producer I'd be concerned. AOPA is looking at a target price of $85K. Stay tuned.