CC, valid point. Disposable income and the attractions to spend it on. It amazes me that there can be thousands of people who will visit an airshow as a spectical. Last November, got to see the Red Bull mob in action, along with thousands of other people. Yet, an infinitely small number actually want to have a go at it.
Out of twenty mad dirt bike mates. Guys that would pull some amazing stunts on two wheels (or one) jump off anything that had half a chance of air time, nearly all of them would go cold on the mention of flying. Only two ever took me up on going for a flight with me...no, it had nothing to do with the way I used to ride my bike. One mate has nearly been killed twice on two wheels yet balks at the idea of getting into anything smaller than a RPT jet or anything less than two engines. Standard line, "Too dangerous, mate!" Go figure!
However, I just think it too coincidental that with the coming of the requirment for ASIC also results in a downturn in PPL numbers.