Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
The numbers of student pilots have plummeted over the past 20 years. In 2006 the number of student pilots was 15,000 less than AOPA's estimates. There are fewer student pilots than there are flight instructors now.
The prices of small planes are plummeting. Soon all we will have is sport pilots who are reduced to small and remote flight parks and millionaires in PC-12's. The day of the middle class private pilot is almost over.
Skyhigh
People are not becoming pilots anymore because flight training is so expensive and there is really no return on the investment. Flying has become a hobby for wealthy people. These days the parking lot at most flight schools looks like a luxury car dealership. The only people that are there for anything more than private are the international students.