I have seen private flying by individuals decrease by leaps and bounds. Sometimes, I go for a week without hearing a single engine fly near my house.

In last month's AOPA, someone wrote a letter blaming the poor business practices by flight schools. I have seen his logic before. These people think that these businesses should forgo profits and operate for the "love of aviation". Well, Lycoming, Cessna Parts, USAIG, and ExxonMobil don't take "love" for payments. Part 61 schools are going by the wayside. Aviation companies make little or no margin on their flight schools, so they don't focus on them.

When Cessna and Cirrus started ramping up production, everyone envisioned a return to 1978 era general aviation. It has not happened. I don't think it will.