On 20/03/2015 1:20 p.m., Sylvia Else wrote:
On 20/03/2015 6:17 AM, george152 wrote:
On 20/03/2015 7:10 a.m., Larry Dighera wrote:

snip
I remember fondly training for my commercial certificate in 1972. A
PA-28 was
$6.50/hour wet. What's the cost today? And veterans returning from
Viet Nam
who obtained a Private certificate were eligible for VA benefits toward
obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Now, how many vets
are able
to afford the expense for a Private
http://www.usaviationacademy.com/veterans; will a Sport Pilot
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/media/LSPBrochure.pdf


certificate open the VA to fund a vet through ATP? It would seem to
me, that
the bar has been raised to the point of becoming an obstacle for most
who dream
of "slipping the surly bonds ...," and exploring the third dimension
among the
clouds. And I don't see Light Sport Aircraft mitigating the situation
significantly over the long term.


I started flying in 1962. A C150 was $9 an hour dual.
Most of my flying was in the late 60s when solo was $10 for a C150 and
$12 for a C172
Now its around $130 an hour.
No wonder people are lining up to fly ultralights


Though this has to be understood in terms of the price index, since the
value of money has changed.

http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpid1501.pdf

Table 24.

The CPI for January 1962 was 30.

For January 2015 it is 233.7

There are no doubt arguments about whether the CPI is a proper measure.
I'll leave those for others.

On that basis, one would expect a C150 to go for $70. So, yes, the real
price has risen %180. Most of that is probably fuel. I can't see why
real insurance premiums would rise, unless the actual risk has (and why
would it?). Any insurer who tries to make too much profit would be
undercut.

And whats worse I started flying in the old pounds, shillings and pence
days.
Currently the C150 is $150 per Hobbs hour