Now, actually, these are fair points. I just looked up some of the economics of small-plane ownership, and you’re right, if you’re someone who likes to fly and this is your hobby, it may not be out of reach. (Although to have 15 to 100 grand to buy a plane, and pay rent for it, still puts you in an income class that means you have housing, plenty to eat, most likely insurance, and then some discretionary income, all pieces which not every person in my town has.)

But I’ll admit I may look “rich” from the outside too, and when painted with that brush, it’s hurtful. So no, I don’t want to hurt average-income people who just like to fly. But do all small planes still use leaded fuel? Is there a way to change that, because that would be better for everyone, and until that is changed, I’ll think even hobbyists are somewhat hurting the environment when they go up. (And yes, I drive a car, because I live in the Midwest and nobody here can stomach the idea of decent public transportation, but it uses unleaded fuel and I endeavor to drive it very few miles. We have a 20-year-old car that just ticked over on 100,000 miles.)

I am also not against some sort of graduated charge for airport use and hangar space, based on income. Private schools can sometimes adjust fees and offer scholarships based on income, why can’t we do the same at airports? Charge the people making a lot of money more for their hangar rent.

Thank you for commenting —