Pilot drop out
If that was the scene in the States what chance has Europe got.
We have to accept that we are in different world now with so much virtual reality equipment around and that the expense of real flying is way out of reach for most people unless they are looking for a career.
Because they never get to see the fun side of going into strips or joining a simple group the "open prison" scenario on lots of airfields hardly encourages the spending of many thousands of pounds to try and enjoy yourself.
The feedback i get from those who can afford it is they are less than impressed with the facilities provided for what seems an awful lot of money and even trying to explain how the clubs/operators struggle to survive with huge increases in costs/charges fails to help the situation.
Yet despite all this, hangarage is in very short supply and the UK fleet is hardly dwindling away.
Another factor is that the "microlight system" has diverted many away from what is seen as a very regulated and cost burdened pastime.
When the "fun factor" is outweighed by the cost/regs the result is inevitable.
If someone in the know can post the cost of issuing a driving licence compared with a PPL it may proove a point. There is even VAT on medicals now !!!