What started me off was a suggestion over a drink yesterday that U.S. prices were a lot less than Australian prices for things like engines. It was then suggested that the difference was due to "paperwork" required in Australia. I don't have the slightest idea if this is true.
As for differences in costs, sure there are bound to be some, but the question that needs to be answered is are the differences signifigant enough to affect GA behaviour? I'm aware Europe is more expensive, but are they significantly more expensive when we take into account pay rates? As for the U.S.A. "economies of scale" don't feed into operating costs as far as I can tell, and if they do, then whats to stop Australia from sourcing product from the U.S. and cashing in?
What I want to know is if there is any single factor, or group of factors, that could account for the so called decline in GA?