Flickers and sparks
No flames today, just flickers and sparks....
I cannot agree that a single word, all encompassing slash at a whole nation is an appropriate reaction to the cost of landing fees.
That said, the cost you describe does sound out of proportion. I had occasion recently to fly from Shoreham, what a delightful airport. nicely maintained, and conveniently situated.
Ahh, well maintained... That costs someone money, I suppose the users would want to pay their fair share of that, to have the facility available.
Conveniently situated... If someone [everyone] does not contribute back that value of the land, it will get swallowed up, like so many airports. I imagine that flying must be one of the most extreme cost of land and facilities vs return activies going. The third busiest airport in Canada will be closed within five years for other land use, and we have space in excess around here!
In 24 years of owning my plane, I have never paid landing fees or hangerage at my home airport. But buying the land, building the hangar, and ongoing maintenance do have their costs. I was thinking yesterday into my second hour of cutting the runway, that my tractor has nearly as many hours on it cutting and snow blowing the runway, as I have put on my plane in that period....
Why not stop by the Shoreham aiport manager's office, and ask if they'll waive some landing fees for you if you spend a day cutting grass for them?
But I agree that 130 GBP for two hours of landings does sound excessive, and a disincentive to currency....