Captain Kramer

My comment above are purely from a observation point, taken from people from my age group. Australia has the highest level of personal debt on the planet, and we could talk about this until the cows come home whether the reason for this high level of personal debt have come about from greed or out of necessity is open to other people to debate. But the a fact is, aviation is a discretionary spend you don't need it to survive you buy a plane and fly because you want to or desire it. There might be lots of planes flying around at certain airfields around Australia but the CASA hours flown do not support that maybe there are a lot of foreign students doing flying lessons? I have worked in aviation for the last 15 years and have seen the decline, there just isn't the financial reward for being a LAME or a pilot these days because you can obtain you financial goals faster being a miner with minimal spending on training. You work in aviation because you love it, and because of that you make sacrifices. I do agree that my generation and probably the generation after me want everything now and can't wait to get it and might explain the high levels of debt. My parents are just starting to enjoy the fruits of there hard work. CASA is another brick wall in the demise of GA and the bureaucrats in Canberra are clueless to this, just have a look at Canberra itself all GA has virtual disappeared. Ok that is my rant why GA is in demise, its now time to get out in that shed and finish building my single seat 2 cylinder engine ultralight so I go burn holes in the sky for less that $35.00 hour. Than I can save up for that expensive over prices shelter. Remember "Get in quick or you will miss out" Regards Shane

I hate to say it but I think it has a lot to do with "Housing" Australians especially young people have it drummed into them that they have to get there own house before its too late (Quote from parents) and therefore are saddled with a huge debt that consumes nearly all there discretionary spending. With the cost of living going up and the prices you pay to put a roof over your head are beyond the reach these days, its no wonder they can't afford to go flying let alone buy a plane. Its the biggest social issue in Australia at the moment, not same sex marriage like the media sprooks. I can afford to fly because I don't have a mortgage. The baby boomers worked hard there whole life and are now enjoying the fruits of the debt saddled younger generation. A sorry state of affairs. Until we address the multiply issues of affordable shelters not investments, we will continue to see the decline in GA. Flying will once again be for the rich and privileged. I know I have probably offended a few people on this forum, but not being honest in this day and age will be our undoing in the future. I am 35 years old and would love to have my own house, a place to call home but I know in this current climate of over priced houses that I have a choice, buy a house and never be able to afford to go flying or go flying. Life is too short to be a debt slave to the banks. We all work hard for retirement but for some of us we wont ever make it, I can speak from experience. GA will continue to decline when we have cheaper alternatives out there, and when the cheaper forms get expensive then people move onto different outlets for the recreational kicks. Happy to be put in my place if I have offended anyone one but the above comments are my honest opinions why younger people are not going out to your local airfield and going for a fly. Shane McMillan

Thanks Ian will have to get up there some time soon. This weekend is Lakeside Airfield.

Hey Hongie, my N-3 Pup is powered by a Global (1/2 VW) 35 Hp engine she goes alright but will have my fingers crossed when it comes time to weight it. I have added weight and I have lost weight so hopefully that will cancel everything out.

Yep 15 years working on military helicopters means absolutely nothing to CASA because they don't fly any of them in civilian street. So basically have to start from scratch to get a licence. I have all the skills to be a LAME but not in the eyes of the bureaucrats in Canberra. I'll just stick to recreational flying and home aircraft building to get my aviation kicks.

Hello Aviators, My name is Shane and I live at Eton and absolutely love recreational flying and the movement in general. I was a Helicopter Mechanic in the Navy for 15 years but have moved back home to Mackay to start it fresh. I don't have many hours but near the end of a long restoration of a Nostalgair N-3 Pup and currently looking for a place to keep it out of the weather and to do a lot of flying in the coming months. I am looking forward to catching with as many of you guys as possible and talk about all things that fly. Kind regards Shane