The use of Licensed aerodromes for training
Please tread very carefully with this one....
The requirement to train only at Licensed aerodromes is often perceived as an unecessary cost burden on the GA training industry, but in many respects, it actually helps the industry thrive.
Imagine if the flying clubs at Gloucester, Shoreham, Biggin, Cranfield etc. all suddenly decamped to Little Snodbury-on-the-Wotsit. They (i.e. the Clubs) might well save a few quid on hangarage & landing fees in the short term, but how long do you think their former bases could continue to trade with, potentially, a large percentage of their business disappearing overnight?
The larger GA airfields are highly dependent on this revenue stream, and without it, they'll be housing estates quicker than you can say John Prescott.
We all know how increasingly difficult it is for GA to gain access to decent Airport facilities (such as hard runways, lighting, navaids, ATC) at a reasonable cost, with the larger Regionals squeezing tiddlers out, but it is vitally important that we take a long term view on this.
Having said that, the Licensing process is way over the top in some respects for the smallest aerodromes....CAP168, the Licensing document, applies the same rules at Hal'penny Green as Heathrow, and a shake up of the system is long overdue. My fear, however, is that EU Single European Skies legislation will quickly supersede most thing at a national level.