I think you will find that even if you give a friend a lift and "break even" this is still public transport so i dont think many are doing that
I agree that the n reg guys need getting rid of but i think a combination of insurance and fuel plus the caa will wipe out small operators within a year or two. We are a nation that just love beaurocracy and that is what will inevitably kill us in the end . Flying people safely in good , well maintained machines flown by experienced pilots is very expensive ....then when you add aoc fees , paying chief pilot , ops people ,form filling people ,H & S people and then cannot do the job because the ops say the 6 ft fence must be 200m away from the take off area ....then it really IS expensive
Of course they do have the option of making us ALL have an aoc and stop us all flying .........what a country
ps see you all at silverstone ( obviously after you have attended a special course etc !!)