Future of private flying
Hi Xrayalpha,
First of all, let me congratulate you on your prescience and even more on your success; 31 aircraft - wow!
I am sure you must be right about the cost of hire issue. However, whatever prices are charged I believe the name of the game from now on has to be tight control on costs and close attention to cost-effectiveness.
Daily hours of flying is another issue. When I learned to fly at Manchester Barton in 1960 daily flying would finish by about 4 p.m. in the winter. But in summer, however, the last flight would land at perhaps 8 or 9 p.m. (civil twilight?). At the club I joined in the mid naughties mid-summer flying would finish at 6 p.m. thus wasting hours of daylight. I don't know why; it could have been on planning grounds or to do with noise abatement or staffing demand or the airfield licence. Whatever the reason I feel the loss of those hours too reduced the earning capacity of the club.
I am not convinced by your use of yachting as an analogy. If you have to give up your yacht for reasons of financial stringency you can always crew for other owners and we don't know how many of those yachts in the marina have been up for sale for ages or just being inadequately maintained or completely neglected.
Anyway, splendid news from Strathaven. Let me wish you continued good fortune. (The way the national economy is going you are going to need it; where 'austerity' is concerned we aint seen nuthin yet; just wait 'till after the next election).
Regards,
BP.