It's true that aviation costs have increased, but the price of
everything has increased as the value of money changes over time
(always less value per unit)

Aviation has never been "cheap."

$5.00 2008 dollars equals 81 cents in 1967 dollars. ( http://www.westegg.com/inflation/)

So $25/ hour rental for an airplane in 1975 should be $104 in today's
dollars.

Which is about right.

When my father flew in the late 60s and early 70s, he paid $25/ hour
(wet) for a Cherokee 140 as a member of a club ($25/month dues).

He also bought a new 1969 Ford Galaxie 500 for $1900. (2 doors, 302
V-8, foam green with Landau vinyl roof -- sweet)

Of course he was proud to earn $200+/week.



Dan