YPJT Flight Schools - How Many Are Left......
WHY...???....Is the big question.
Is it really the residual 'fallout' from the GFC..?
Is it the increases in the daily costs of living..?
Is it overcharging / rentals by airport operators...?
Is it Avgas fuel costs..?
Few are making realistic commercial rates of return in the face of increased costs. This is primarily due to "biggest operators" charging out their aircraft well below operating costs, let alone putting money aside for overhauls/upgrades/new aircraft/bad times etc.
Rates:
April 20008: C172 $169 Mooney $213
Aug 2008: C172 $195 Mooney $238
Feb 2010: C172 $199 Mooney $239
May 2010: C172 $226 Mooney $235
July 2010 C172 $229 Mooney $269
Feb 2011: same as July 2010 rates yet:
Comparative undiscounted AVGAS rates:
April 2008 $1.65
Aug 2008 $1.83
Feb 2010 $1.59
July 2010 $1.73
Jan 2011: $1.74
In last 3 years... LAME rates increasing $10/hr each year.
Parking and landing fees have just gone up for 2011.
In my opinion, once aircraft rates go up another 15% then we might be at a reasonable "just viable" basis.