You don't have to buy an auto pilot. Or use it if you have one. I spent the last 8 years flying a Quicksilver MX ultralight and my autopilot consisted of trimming the plane and flying in low winds. :-) That said, I am looking at the Aeroprakt A-22LS and that puppy will have a fully Dynon Skyview including A/P. Aviation doesn't have to be expensive unless we're demanding high level functionality.

That depends on where and what you fly, doesn't it? There are thousands of NORDO planes out there. Our heads need to be on a swivel regardless. I spent 8 years flying an ultralight in and out of non-towered airports of all types without a radio. It cemented in my head that, even when I am flying light sport with a radio, it's best to pretend I don't have one and just assume everyone is trying to run you over... 🙂

@@aviatorjoe4153 Head on a swivel is also a dumb phrase, dangerous and pre-adsb false assumption of safety.. Even the hint that as long as you are staring outside the plane and scanning the giant white sky looking for tiny, fast moving white planes is laughably ineffective. The FAA non-requirement that ALL planes have radios is ironic given their claimed mission they exist to keep the sky safe. The ONLY near miss I have experienced was a toad in an antique P-47 with no radio crossing my final approach on a non-towered airport. NO RADIO. and a stupid pilot trick from an arrogant old pilot no doubt.

@speedomars3869 Well, you obviously have an axe to grind. Sorry you were almost blind sided, but I think the fact that you saw and avoided the plane proves my point that visual scanning is the most important way to prevent midair collisions. Voice and ADSB greatly enhance safety, but will never replace "see and avoid " a.k.a. "head on a swivel " as a basic aviation skill.

@speedomars3869 Additionally, visual scanning is not a "false assumption of safety " but exists because we must assume that relying on radio and ADSB exclusively is the REAL false assumption of safety.