GA can be also assessed by the number of pilots.
I have graphed licences back to 1996.
The general trend is down, down, down - although ATPL rises slightly (thus the rest drop even faster).
But, lo - add in RA Aus and the trend is effectively flat - no change.
Therefore part of the matter is a market shift due to emergence of RA Aus.
But then, have a think about the loss of the RPT duopoly and the arrival of the cheap carriers and SY-ML for $90 or less. How far does one get in even a GA single for $90?
GA also - being on the private side 'discretionary' income always suffers in a recession (lagging by a year or two due to those committed to finishing their licence).
Someone said earlier this is all about differing opinions - the statistics give me the opinion that GA as we know it would always have declined due to the changing market forces. Add in the lack of incentive to purchase new aircraft in the over-regulated environment and decline is guaranteed.
Open up competition in RFFS etc - worked well in banking and telecommunications didn't it - much better service and pricing these days
