Landing fees.
Mr.X99,
Canada is "mostly" a free landing fee zone but my 172RG always attracts a $53 landing fee in Calgary and I also have a Navigation chage as well.
My Canadian licence is not free, and each year I incur a fee for "processing" my renewal.
That is nothing compared to the "Ministry of Greed and Envy" as practiced in the UK and Europe where aviation is treated like a cash cow to be milked frequently.
In the US, the airports are usually city or county owned and regarded as an asset to bring business to visit the city, and help the economy. Fuel tax is also used to help in the cost. A totaly different attitude to you poor guys in Europe. A lot of civil airports will also have a National Guard in residence even with a military airport close by. The National Guard is paid for by the state so the state gets its dollars back with the use of the airport.
My US certificates, several. (licences) are all free although I pay the Medical Examiner for my medical. The FAA would love to start charging for their services but thankfully we are lucky so far.
We are very fortunate but the UK will never allow no landing fee's, dream on!!!
Speedbird48