Hello everyone, I am a fellow simmer and a graduate student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University working on my capstone project (aka thesis). I am conducting a survey of consumer flight simulator software users who do not hold a real world FAA pilot certificate (license). This survey is part of my research into isolating the factors most responsible for the decline in personal/recreational general aviation flight activity during the last 15 years. I would greatly appreciate if you could take a few moments of your time to participate in the survey. The data you provide may assist in better understanding why PGA flight activity is in decline and lead to more focused efforts towards reversing the decline.

 

The survey is located at the following URL and will be open from 2 to 18 Feb 13.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PGADECLINE1

 

Anyone interested in receiving a copy of the final paper or the research proposal can e-mail me at: [email protected]

 

Thank you for your assistance,

Tim Timmons, COM AMEL, CFI

Hi Tim,

 

Just so I understand- you want to know about the decline in "real" GA but not from those of us who hold an actual flying certificate- did I get that right?

 

Good luck on your thesis! Bruce.

I can tell you why there is a decline, might be the 38% unempolyment rate for people between the ages of 22-28 in the United States, or it might be the fact that the cost of flying is out of reach for 99% of the population, thesis complete

Just so I understand- you want to know about the decline in "real" GA but not from those of us who hold an actual flying certificate- did I get that right?

 

I think what he's saying is why do people who love flying/aviation (ie. simmers) not go into real world GA flying. Could be wrong though.

Took the survey.

 

Tim, it would be nice if you'd post a summary here after it's done.

 

Hook

One word: money.

 

Surprise!

Tim, echoing BruceK's comments, do you only want simmers that do not hold certificate to participate in the survey?

Umm the cost... I have seen folks drop out of training due to cost, and complexity of training...

FAA, 2nd fuel costs, 3rd goverment red tape, Past mental illness banned people like me from light sport flying, but you can get semi-auto easier than getting light aircraft license. Airspace restrictions after 911 were sadastic by FAA it took AOPA and other groups to knock them sense into those bozos and find the right balance. You got the TSA feeling you up and down before you can fly your own plane, and add in 6.00 a gallon aviation fuel. The goverment treats ga pilots like drug traffickers and terrorists.

Because unlike in FSX, in the real world you can, like, die and stuff. DUH!

 

(Guess it's a good thing I hold a pilot's certificate and can't participate in the survey)

Not just money. Some of us don't want the responsibility that goes with real world flying. I live my life knowing that if I make a mistake, and I do, from forgetting to take the garbage out on Monday morning to slipping on the ice getting out of the car, I'll pay the price. If I was a rw pilot it would be different. Not as much fun and too much work. But don't get me wrong, I still and always will admire those that accept that responsibility.

I don't think this survey asks the right questions to discover why there is a decline in participation in general aviation in this country. I don't know all the right ones, but these seem wide of the mark.

Any piece of machinery is dangerous tractors, combines, driving. Die just walking outside nowdays in the winter. No one opposes taking exams to earn your license, but the critera they put up for people is overboard. Still, flying costs gone up because of energy costs made it luxury for people now. Gasoline cost 3 times more than in 1998 and cost of living did not keep up.

Simple.The cost involved is out of reach of the average person.

Simple.The cost involved is out of reach of the average person.

 

Exactly, and driving a automobile is getting there, and may have to take horse riding lessons