Anyone who is interested in flying, but doesn't need the flexibility of a private aircraft license, can opt for a light aircraft license instead. Worldwide, safety regulations of light aircraft use vary substantially; in many European countries, the regulations are very strict, but in France and the United States, there are very few. The light aircraft license was devised because of the high barrier-to-entry for casual flying enthusiasts. Since not everyone is interested in having a career or a heavy investment of time in flying, the light aircraft license was created by the FAA in 2004 (the light aircraft license is also referred to as a light sport pilot license), as well as the light sport category of aircraft. In most cases, a light aircraft license doubles as a recreational license, wherein people who just want to enjoy an occasional flight can do so relatively cheaply and with less of a time commitment than those who pursue their private licenses or commercial licenses. The recreational license is an outdated, quasi-obsolete license that has been mostly supplanted by the newer light aircraft license.