What does it cost to rent an airplane in UK – say a Piper Warrior? About $130/hr wet is going rate where I live. Not likely to be any landing fees. I know it cost maybe 2-3 times more but why? A dream of mind is to visit the UK and rent an airplane. Not being rich it is just a dream.

Just my feeling as far as I know. Always thought those who sacrifice in order to fly were some how special – just my opinion. Don’t hear the term elite much. Do hear about the top 1% a lot in this country.

Did not mean to belittle the “Y” generation – think although you obviously have interest in aviation you don’t have the need or desire to fly or own an airplane is kind of sad. In the USA still feasible to buy a used 4 seat plane like a Cherokee for about $25,000 or less. Of course in the states people can buy guns as easy as you buy fish and chips and we might have Trump for our next president. The yin and the yang.

Did a google search on topic – what happen to general aviation in UK – and go a lot info. From a site called Golf Hotel Whisky I quote – We were completely blown away by the aviation environment we found in the USA–compared to the UK it felt like arriving in paradise! Half price airplanes, fuel at one-third the price, airports everywhere, free weather briefings, affordable hangars, no charges to fly in controlled airspace and, get this, no landing fees, anywhere… wow, this was the place to be! Also the article warns that the same thing is starting to happen in USA.

Apparently interest in GA is down in most Western countries especially among the young or is it that they cannot afford it? In the US congress in about 1980 eliminated VA benefits for veterans with a PP license and wanted advance ratings and have the VA pay for it. This caused a reduction in demand for new training aircraft which rippled down to a decline in all new aircraft. I recollect that rule changes like charging $10 for every landing started during Thatcher government. Was hoping for British comment on possible causes of the decline.