The increase in the cost of owning a general aviation aircraft has risen at a rate roughly equal to the increase in the cost of living but the cost of purchasing a general aviation aircraft has risen at a rate far exceeding the cost of living.

1. Ramifications of the cost of purchasing a general aviation
airplane for the future of aviation in the US
The increase in the cost of owning a general aviation aircraft has risen at a rate
roughly equalto the increase in the cost of living but the cost of purchasing a
general aviation aircraft has risen at a rate far exceeding the cost of living.
The cost of owning an aircraft is the equivalent to the cost of living, but the cost of purchasing an
aircraft is far greater than the cost of living. This can have an effect on the future of aviation by
seeing a decrease in the market for planes. An article written by Len Assante states that the
number of general aviation aircraft and new general aviation aircraft built have fallen. Less than
700 new piston aircraft were delivered in 2013, compared to more than 2,700 in 2006. This
decline has led to the decrease in avgas and other aviation gasoline, and will only be a matter of
time until it will no longer be a viable product for any manufacturer to provide at any price. The
already high price of fuel will continue to rise as production drops. This would also be the case for
aircraft parts. Many once-common parts are now unavailable or unexpectedly expensive. If this
trend continues, it will only be a matter of time before general aviation vanishes altogether.
Statistics from the National Business Aviation Association website also show the implications of
the high costs of purchasing aircraft. It states that when fuel prices go up, 28% request more direct
routings, 15% started tinkering fuel, 40% reported flying at slower speeds to save on fuel, 19%
have cut back on hours, and 76% reported customers switching FBO’s to find lower-priced fuel
(NBAA). The last statistic could really impact those “mom and pop shops” that are family

2. businesses who really have no other income than selling fuel. These FBO’s will suffer the most
with a decrease in consumption.