Slow down in Private Flyng
Tend to agree with speechless1, August was very slack, we had some Sundays where Instructors had No bookings. Very few new starters this year and those that do seem to drop out before solo. Think we have had 2 fuel related rates increases this year. I used to tell Trial Lessons that the total cost to gain a JAA PPL was around £7000 Now I say £8000 all in.
The one thing I think that will stop me flying is the cost of maintaining CPL / FI. Everybody else is increasing there charges but my flight wages have stayed the same for the past 5 Years at £10 per hour. For me this year I have to find the following:- CPL Renewal £119, FI Seminar £225 (or flight test £200 +A/C Hire ) plus overnight stay and travel, 2 X Class 1 medicals at £150 -£190 each, IMC Renewal at £150 A/C hire +examiner fee, AOPA Membership £55. AvBrief subscription £60, plus accountants fees of £300+vat and petrol cost for 60 miles a day home to Airfield travel. At best I fly 280 hours a year and those cost represent around 150 hours flying spread over 3 (5) years.
I Have been flying for over 40 years and observed the number of licence issues drop from around 10,000 p/a to around 3000 p/a now.
The regulators are continually enhancing there own status at our expense, CAA. JAA and now ESA what on earth will all these people do.
The wannabe 's going the self improver route from small clubs seem to be drying up due to cost, reduced Military requirements and Airlines running sponsorship schemes.
Now add Mode S, the growth of short haul traffic, and Airfields as brown field sites and its RIP light aviation.
Cheers Orion: