"Peter R." wrote in message
...
Bob Noel wrote:

The J row went from $353/month to $459/month to $505/month to $606/month.

That's a tough pill to swallow. You have my condolences.

As insurance premiums and waiting lists dictate, I suspect that there will
be many other airports here in the US that follow Bedford's lead in the
next five years or so.

--
Peter

I wouldn't expect a big change in hangar or tie-down costs unless you're
based near a population center which is growing extremely rapidly and where
there is a substantial amount of discretionary income. In those areas (I
live in one - Atlanta), the close-in airports are well into a changeover
process where they are intentionally running off spam-cans and rolling out
the red carpet for the corporate crowd. I've got no problem with corporate
GA, but I do have a problem with FBO's (who are typically a government
selected monopoly) consistantly pooping on the little guy - the same guy
who's faithfully helped keep them in business for decades.

Other than the areas with rapid population growth, hangars and ramp space
are relatively plentiful and cheap, 'cause there are fewer and fewer planes
and pilots as old pilots get out of the game and aircraft are attritted
through accidents, prohibitively expensive repairs, and other causes. I
think we're facing a future in "Light GA" where there will be a significant
reduction in the number of airfields and FBO's supporting us in the next
decade or two. That creates a death spiral of sorts, because the thing
that makes GA useful is that almost every little town has an airstrip. When
that ends, so does much of the utility, and even more pilots will walk away.