VFR: Equipping for the Basics.

According to an article in Pipers Magazine titled "VFR: Equipping for the Basics," the FAA reported that there were approximately 490,000 pilots in the US with active certificates in 2023, with a slight increase of about 17,000 new pilots in the past 10 years. The article also highlights that 7% of pilot certificate holders in 2023 were women, and 67% of active pilots in the US have an instrument ticket. The author discusses the equipment needed for VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flying, including communication, navigation, and integration into the ATC (Air Traffic Control) system. The article suggests that even for basic VFR flying, pilots need to be able to communicate effectively and have navigation tools. [Extracted from the article]