Matt,

I think you make some good points about education, and it is true that
more kids go to college than ever before. But there have always been
mediocre students and good students, people with varying talent,
energy, and skill. The mediocre today are perhaps going to school and
"passing" when in the past they would have done something else, and
"failed.

BUT, among all the good and bad students, there are also many more
good students, and the number of slots at good schools is not much
greater than in the past. Competition to get into elite universities
is more intense than ever.

The reason I think that's remotely relevant is simply because the
people who are going to learn to fly are, well, the above averages,
and they really do have more pressure on their time than in the past.


My flying habit, at its max has been about 100 hours a year in
30-year-old 172's and Cherokees. That's been roughly $10,000/yr all
told. That's the same cost as the Honda, *gone* in two years. At least
with the Honda, you've got a car at the end of two years.

You know, I _think_ you just showed the attitude that may be behind the
dearth of new students.

I am not sure I follow what you mean. That people are more acquisitive
than they used to be? More into "stuff" and less into "experiences?"


You just hit on the major facet: COST. The other key word is: HOBBY.

We're in violent agreement.

-- dave j