"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
While there is some of that, I don't agree with your broad-brush
premise.

There are a LOT of really well-maintained aircraft on our field that
are simply not flying since gas doubled in price. When your fuel bill
goes from $160 to $320 per fill, that's a HUGE deterrent to flying.

Even among those who can easily afford it, the thought of paying that
much for a tank of gas is simply stupifying enough to make one think
twice before flying. It's going to take a while -- maybe a long while
-- for people to get used to it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Yep. Like Jay's pathfinder my 182 now cost over $50/hour fuel to operate.
Hard to justify as transportation. Under 200 miles car is lots cheaper and
gets there in same amount of time (plus I have a car when I arrive). Over
400 miles commercial is cheaper and faster for up to 3 passengers. With
insurance/hanger/maint/fuel my costs for the 182 now exceeds $150/hr at
100hrs/year. The proverbial $100 hamburger of 1990 has now become the $300
hamburger. I think my (well maintained) 182 will decrease in value and light
sport aircraft will be the future for those who simply "want to fly".

Howard