Hi IO540,
I think we will have to agree to differ on the subject of the target customer base. I really don't think that this discerning, moneyed, new to GA customer exists in sufficient numbers. Most of us arrive, starry eyed, just wanting to fly. And with no greater expectations than to fly that curious, old fashioned, high wing thing called a Cessna 152
.
Another way of putting it is, if our training fleet were to miraculously change overnight into new a/c such as DA40s, all running at current costs, I really don't think the customer base would expand that much.
Now on the other hand... if the fleet were to miraculously change into diesel powered C172s and PA28s, costing £50 ph to rent, and £65 ph to learn on. Different ball game. Punters would come flooding in. Those are the sort of costs you get in the States with their low fuel charges. The club I belonged to was less of a club and more like an aviation version of the BSM. Wannabees were pouring in though the door - even after 9/11.
I think the reasons for the problems at Shoreham are simple. GA in the UK is way too expensive, and the customer base can't justify large numbers of flying schools, particularly if co-located on one airfield.
Cheers.
KC