Human beings tend to have a great propensity for nostalgia. It’s in our nature to look back in time to reflect on what was. With the advantage of hindsight, we often realize how idyllic — or at least more enjoyable — our lives were in the old days. Back when things were simple. Before everything got so crazy and chaotic.
Personally, for all the fun I’ve had, the travels I’ve enjoyed, the people I’ve met, and the experiences I treasure, I wouldn’t go back. I like it where I am. I like now. And I’m particularly excited about the future.
The world around us is constantly changing. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes not. But I’ll take what comes. In the big scheme of things, it all strikes me as a huge improvement on what was. And I say that even with the acknowledgement that what was was pretty terrific.
When I was a kid playing in a band with high hopes and impractical dreams, my bandmates and I moved to New York City to make it big. We took up residence in a horrible little apartment on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Three cramped rooms with a kitchen that included a full-sized tub and shower. The toilet wasn’t in the apartment at all. It was down the common hallway, near the stairway, in a different part of the building.
Although our only album didn’t sell all that well, we did get to rub shoulders with the men and women featured in our respective record collections. And we got to share the stage with more than a few of those folks. Those were heady times. We were busy as can be and tremendously productive. Which is not to say we had enough money to eat on a regular basis.
We didn’t.
Today, there is a better way. That move would be unnecessary. The advent of ever more powerful computers and the global connection of the Internet would have allowed us to live wherever we wanted and still build a world-wide audience, without paying New York rental rates or fighting varmints that were after our meager food supply.
It was during those days of limited funds and aspirational dreams I began to fly. My intention was simply to be a recreational pilot. To earn the privilege of being able to fly over the horizon at will.
Nostalgia may be fitted with rose-colored glasses, but I recall a profoundly challenging and severely limited number of ways to get into the game back then.
Yes, it was a simpler time even for aviation. Our airspace hadn’t been redefined into A, B, C, D, E, and G as of yet. Our radios had just one digit to the right of the decimal point. Many of us hadn’t transitioned to headsets yet. Rather, we simply turned the radio up loud and shouted to each other over the howling of the engine.
But first, there was ground school to deal with. Online options weren’t available. Nor were video-based educational tools on the menu. The only path I could find was to attend an in-person ground school in Sunnyside, Queens, with about a dozen other aeronautical hopefuls.
It was not great. To the best of my knowledge, I was the only member of that class to pass my written exam (just barely) and the only one to go on to take flight lessons. A dozen or so flight hours later, I recognized the unsatisfactory ratio of how little I was learning compared to how much I was spending.
I relocated and started over.
It has never been easy to become a pilot. Nor should it be. Beyond the obvious risks we accept on our own behalf, our passengers put their faith in us too. That’s a responsibility we all carry.
Thanks to the advances of technology, the relaxation of regulations, a more open-minded approach on the part of the industry as to who is welcomed through the flight school door, and the in-flight knowledge we’ve gained over the years, aviation is safer and more accessible than it has ever been.
It’s fair to say aviation ain’t what it used to be. To that I respond thank goodness.
We no longer build production aircraft out of bamboo. It may be light and strong, but it can’t hold a candle to chromoly steel, aircraft grade aluminum, or composite structures. Few of us navigate with a watch and a compass anymore. Having that skill is valuable, but having a quality GPS in the panel is better.
Knowing where we are, how far we have to go, and what our options are in an emergency is a real bonus. In the good old days those were all qualified guesses. Now they’re rock-solid information we can gather at a glance.
The pilot population has changed too. It’s gotten far more expansive than we typically saw over the first decades of flight. Just the other day I talked to a flight crew member who had just flown with a captain who was wearing a maternity uniform.
My mom was a public school teacher in the 1960s. Back then a woman could lose her job over being pregnant. It seems some bureaucrats had decided that seeing a pregnant woman would confuse or upset the student body — irrespective of the fact that we all had mothers who either had been or currently were pregnant at home.
Sometimes the rules make no sense. Social norms tend to be resistant to change even if there is no good reason for those norms to be…normalized.
Nope, aviation ain’t what it used to be. Frankly, it’s better. Much better. It’s more affordable, more accessible, more dependable, and far less prone to failures than it was in the past.
The old days were good, but our current situation is undeniably superior to the one we had. And with that trend continuing — as it most assuredly will — I’d say the future of aviation is just flat out spectacular looking.
What say you?
Jamie, I can’t agree at all! I’ve seen prices go through the roof for rental, for check rides, for fuel, and on and on and on! You mentioned flying clubs? Seriously? What flying clubs? I live in a suburb of a major city in Texas and I know of no such flying clubs! Not where I live! What about going in on a co-ownership, or partnership of a safe, reliable, and affordable ship…yeah, maybe if I’m an upper tax bracket earner of a 6 figure salary!
Articles like this pierce my heart every time I read one. I was a great pilot and I loved being in the air. I loved sharing my passion for flight with everyone who would listen. I regularly just hung out at the airport looking for opportunities to talk to other pilots, learn from others, study weather, learn about new equipment, maybe catch a ride with a friend or give a ride to someone who was curious about the idea of becoming a private pilot or beyond.
Then rental prices shot out of sight. Flight schools and FBOs started to fold, maintenance costs, annuals, overhauls, repairs, all became unaffordable. Friends began to sell off their ships, as their aging birds were more expensive to maintain than the mortgage payment on their home. Where were the flying clubs then?
Getting a check ride, check out in a complex or getting an IFR or multi-engine rating became a miserable experience. Great instructors who taught because they loved flying and seeing others expand their skill and proficiency, became rare. Finding instructors who modeled safety first, thorough preflights, developing flight plans, cross country planning, log entries, and complete familiarity with emergency procedures, quickly became rare birds indeed. They seemed to be replaced by youngsters, whose only thoughts were getting those hours that would get them that first commercial gig, So many of these “CFI” encounters were experiences I would rather forget. Most of these expensive 30 to 45 minutes rides left me wanting, and I would almost always walk away with only the knowledge I walked in with.
I was spoiled by my flight instructor and his business partner, both highly skilled and high time men. Their contribution to my love of flying, my skills, and my respect for all things aviation, is immeasurable.
Yes, if I didn’t have a family, a full time job and a second job, trying to make ends meet, I would find a way. But now, even with MOSAIC, ultralights, sport planes, experimental, and so on, I still can’t afford the ride.
So now, I watch what flies overhead whenever I’m outside; I identify the ship, identify the power plant, and say to my wife “that should be me”. Most days, we come out of the house to run errands or go to dinner and together, we look at the sky, check the weather and determine whether or not it’s a good day to fly.
Affordable? Flying clubs? That’s laughable.
Consider this, there are multitudes of pilots out there; pilots who could be, or pilots like me, even kids who still have the audacity to think that just maybe, one day, they will see their flying dreams come true.
Yet, with all the efforts of fancy school programs, colleges and universities, along with the occasional scholarship or two, most of these pilots and pilots to be will never get the opportunity to fly or return to flight.
Some would say, “Well, it’s not for everybody.” I say, while the aviation community, including manufacturers, federal offices, governing bodies, and pilot associations to name a few, may have the heart and try to create opportunities but there seems to be an opposing team. Read outside the lines people.
In the mean time, those of us who are still tied down, or visit an empty hanger once a month, or those who can only dream and live vicariously through YouTube, even kids whose parents have had to tell them that’s not for you, have, either directly or indirectly, had the choice made for them.
Thank you for saying this. I’m a student pilot right now, and I’m doing it simply because I love flying. That said, the cost is absolutely crushing, even as someone with a good job.
Better now? Drive out to almost ANY public airport on a weekend and look for the people hanging around. Or the airplanes beating around the pattern.
Nope, quiet as a ghost town.
Only better for those fortunate enough to live on a private airport development.
I can’t agree, sorry Jamie. I learned in a J3 – 4 dollers an hour wet plus 2 dollers for the instructor. He was a real instructor not just an hour logger for the airlines. Now flying is way too expensive and the regulations have distroyed the freedom of flight. How about the cost of insurance? Hangar rent, tie down fees, fuel, annual inspection.
One of the few times that I have differing opinion from Jamie Beckett. There have been a LOT of advances and I wouldn’t trade my Lightspeed Zulu or my iPad for the old ways. However, I think there has been a loss of “stick and rudder” skills due to the automation. I find it appalling that CFIs are afraid of stalls, and yes I have had them. I think that insurance companies are going to strangle the changes with the new “MOSAIC” rules. Great changes are the programs like the Ray Scholarship program by EAA and all the aviation youth programs across the country. A lot of trade-offs, but still glad that I can go fly whenever I want.
Your comments are so true and do remind me of my aviation experiences. I first flew on October 17, 1964. The aircraft was 6074W, a 1964 Piper Cherokee 140. I recently checked on this aircraft and it still flying today, obviously with numerous upgrades and modifications. To check the weather we merely walked across the parking lot to the Flight Service Station and they provided an analysis using numerous paper charts. As stated we did not use headsets, just turn up the volume on the speaker in the ceiling. Radio calls were at a minimum: taxi clearance which included the current weather, takeoff clearance, landing clearance upon return and taxi back to the FBO. I attended what at the time was called an “approved school”. They did have a syllabus and an audio/visual set-up to teach rules & regulations, weather etc. in addition to some classes taught by a CFI. I completed my Private License check ride on June 15, 1965 and upon completion had flown a total of 38.4 hours. Using an approved school at that time you needed a minimum of 35 hours, non approved required a minimum of 40 hours. There is no question that navigation has drastically improved and engine service life has been extended because of improved materials, machining tolerances and oil advancements. Aviation has never been cheap, but a good flying club certainly can bring the experience within range of a great number of people.
Nice article but not realistic. After 55 years of flying and ownership, our “Current situation” is not “undeniably superior to the one we had.” Things are not “better, much better”.
A) “Affordable”. Even in consideration of inflation and the current value of the dollar, buying a new airplane is impossible for most and 60+year old legacy airplanes with high time to runout engines, poor paint, torn interiors, ancient avionics and barely legal maintenance are priced ridiculously high. A check ride with an FAA examiner is as high as $2,000.00 and that’s if you can find one with a 3 month out reservation waiting list. Insurance has skyrocketed while many pilots are being denied coverage at any premium price. Fuel is through the roof even at self-serve facilities. While avionics have improved and have made flying safer and better manageable, it costs an average of $15,000.00 (or greater sometimes) to purchase an avionics suite with additional installation costs running North of $10,000.00.
B) “More Accessible.” No. There is a shortage of mechanics, QUALIFIED instructors, and FBOs who offer rentals (flight academies and FBOs won’t rent to qualified pilots as the planes are available solely to the students). As an example, an instructor I know reserved a 172 to rent a week in advance. His day to fly showed that the plane was no longer available to him because it was being used for a student flight. The attitude of the FBO was “too bad”. This was embarrassing and frustrating for my friend especially as he brought a passenger along for a pleasure flight. On another note, try to find a seasoned instructor with tailwheel experience. They are few and far between while the up-and-coming instructors have all kinds of time in tricycle gear aircraft and zero time in tailwheels.
C) “More Dependable” No. See previously mentioned (plane availability, examiner availability, mechanic availability, etc.)
D) “Less Prone To Failure” No. While avionics HAVE improved and have made flying safer, and “less prone to failure”, engines have not changed much making them prone to the same failures they were subjected to in the 1940s. This is especially enhanced when operators ignore the manufacturers’ recommended TBO both in the area of time on the engine AND YEARS since the last overhaul. Those wearing rose colored glasses think that if the compressions are great, she starts right up, runs smooth, uses very little oil and regular oil analysis look great are kidding themselves. They convince themselves and try to convince others (such as buyers) that the engine is “fine” to avoid or defer a major overhaul costing an average of over $30,000.00.
In a nutshell, while I appreciate the author’s enthusiasm and positive attitude, I wish him nothing but the best and hope his dreams are not shattered when reality sets in.
Jamie Beckett said: “Nope, aviation ain’t what it used to be. Frankly, it’s better. Much better. It’s more affordable, more accessible, more dependable, and far less prone to failures…”
I disagree vehemently! I got my license in 1976. Back then, I rented a new Cessna 152 for $15/hr. wet. The overall cost of living has gone up 4.7 times since then. By that measure, a C-152 should rent for $70/hr. wet now, but the nearest FBO to my home base charges $130/hr. wet. On that same cost front, a new Cessna 172 in 1976 cost $25,000 well equipped. Applying the cost of living increases, that same plane should only cost $117,500 now, but the ads I’ve seen suggest the price is closer to $400,000. As for the claim that aviation is more dependable now, my Maule uses the exact same Lycoming O-360 that was available in 1976, so engine reliability is exactly the same. Gyro instruments have gone up in price far more than the overall cost of living increase and they are no more reliable now than they were 50 years ago. Yes, we now have a magenta line to follow on our panels so navigation is easier, but I’ve had to take aggressive action to avoid mid-airs with aircraft flying at the wrong altitudes with pilots that appear to have their focus on little screens rather than outside the window. I don’t see the improvements that Jamie claims to be in place. I still enjoy flying as much as I did on my first solo all those years ago, but the cost of insurance, maintenance and avgas may ground me permanently soon. It’s been a good ride, but I don’t see the improvements that Jamie references. The added costs that I’m experiencing are harder to swallow now that I’m fully retired and have a LOT less discretionary funds. Maybe he’s just being paid to be a cheer leader. Nice try, but my experienced reality is a lot different than his pitch.
A bit of what’s missing is old airport accessibility. For better or worse “progress” in the name of security has put huge, unwelcoming fences around our havens. We try to overcome that by taking aviation to the schools but the “vibe” (even the words and emotions have changed…).. the vibe just ain’t there. On the other hand the kids don’t recognize role models as clearly as “we” did. We had blond haired, blue eyed WW II pilots flying airlines and the old guys drank coffee in open Cub hangars. Beginning airplanes start out as monsters with glass confusion… but then today’s youth “fly” their computers with digital panels…. Had a ten year old “Birthday airplane ride” at my little country fbo. I put him on his knees so he could see a bit better. Kid did a near perfect climb out and turns in the C172 but I realized he was doing it all on the gages. He’d gotten a computer sim with controls last birthday and hadn’t learned about looking out the window.
Change is change, better or worse. We are each who we are as a result of evolution, even during our short time on this plane [of existence, and yes, pun]. Time to re read JL Seagull and some old N Shute. Good thoughts for a morning kup. Thx Jamie.
The picture at the top of the article features a Cessna 172 skyhawk that cost $8,750. If we adjust that price for inflation we come to $104,267.19.
The typical value of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk today ranges from $400,000 to $430,000, with some estimates as high as $486,000.
I realize that the price of aviation has gone down, and it has become incredibly easier to become a pilot, but that does not go to say that some aspects of aviation were never better in the past.
If the above illustration is telling, it looks like the cost of aircraft ownership has gone up over time.
Any thoughts?
I’m confused by your comment that the cost has gone down. Your C-172 price example would indicate that flying is less affordable today.
Agreed.
Jamie Beckett said: “Nope, aviation ain’t what it used to be. Frankly, it’s better. Much better. It’s more affordable, more accessible, more dependable, and far less prone to failures than it was in the past.” While I admire his affection and boosterism for GA — and I hate to be a wet blanket — but the daily chronicles on this news service would seem to contradict those assertions.
I point to: (1) anecdotal reports of steep insurance rate increases owing to the proliferation of accidents; (2) parts failures in well-known and -respected engines and Erector Set wheel assemblies; (3) incredible situation-saving failures among CFIs; and (4) inept pilots lacking math computational skills to avoid fuel starvation, bad flares, not checking NOTAMS nor weather along flight routes and destination airports. Sheesh!
Am I over-stating my case here? Are these the rare exceptions to the rule? Are things really better on a flight-hour basis? One commenter a few days ago wrote: “When are we going to run out of airplanes to crash to keep our insurance rates from increasing?”
All the glass panels in creation can’t compensate for those aforementioned problems. And, as another guy stated: “You can’t fix stupid.” One man’s opinion, worth what you paid for it.
Regards/J
Boy do I remember the days of the simpler radios, no headsets, etc, etc. Yeah, it cost a lot less then, but I also made next to nothing then. I spent $1200 to get my ticket 50 years ago in 1976. My gross income for that same year was $5000. So, it took close to 1/4 of my gross income for the year to get my license. I would argue that now, 50 years later, obtaining a private pilot license is about the same or less as a percentage of income.
My first plane cost me $3800 in 1978. Everyone told me I paid way too much for it then. But today, the same plane is valued at roughly 30 – $35,000. Again all of it has gone up by an inflation factor of about 10, including our wages.
It always kills me when people drive up to my hangar in their new $80,000 pickup and tell me I must be really wealthy to own three planes. Of course all of my planes are Experimental. All were bought as projects or wrecks for a total cost much less than the cost of the pickup truck they are driving. But 10 years from now, my planes will continually increase in value. Their truck… not so much.
Hi JS: Your argument is rational and based on proportion between costs and prices, back then and now. Fair enough. But I keep seeing GA prices for Cessnas and others new and used in the $250,000 range, +/-. That’s the medium price of a house or a new Chevy pickup. Between flight training, plane cost, insurance, and fuel, you gotta be richer than I am to afford a little plane. Am I wrong? Would be the first time in 2026 (;->))
Regards/J