"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 19:32:57 -0500, "Kyle Boatright"
wrote in
::


You're absolutely right about getting the younger crowd to participate in
Aviation.
[...]
In the end, the 22 year old who is interested in flying makes a visit to
the FBO, "does the math", and realizes that a PPSEL is out of financial
reach. S/he never comes back.


That's because wealth is usually acquired later in life.

Today the ultralight and powered parachute equipment provides the
aviation minded youth the means of flight without benefit of
examination nor unrealistic cost. Later, when s/he can better afford
the expense, the option is always open for flight instruction and FAA
certificate.

snip

My experience is that the ultralight crowd (no experience with the powered
'chute crowd) is that it looks a whole lot like the rest of the GA crowd.
Average age of 50 or more, white, and male. From my vantage point, it
appears that one type person who flys U/L's (or illegal U/L's) is someone
who wants to continue flying but can't afford (or doesn't want to pay for)
an aircraft that burns 8 gph of $4/gallon fuel. The other group I see
flying UL's and Sport Pilot aircraft are guys who are on the back side of
the health curve and either know or fear that they wouldn't pass an aviation
physical.

I simply don't see young people (30) at the airport, unless they are young
CFI's or guys making $8/hr driving the fuel truck.

KB