QOD

[Canadian eh]

So far this spring/summer there has been very noticeable drop in the number of ifr/vfr flights coming into Canada from the states, I'm talking about more of the low level (below fl280) sunday flyer's/charters. In years past there use to be alot of flights coming to Canada for stuff like fishing, vacations to our lakes and so on, this was both ifr and vfr that wanted flight following (or not knowing the Canada rules and entering controlled airspace above 12500 without a ifr clearance which is not allowed). I'm thinking the drop in numbers is for 2 reasons:
1- the Canadian dollar has been pretty much par with the us dollar and even worth more at times over the past while. before you could come here for holidays and get $1.30 for your dollar and now your getting even money or less.
2- the price of fuel, it's gone up and will probably continue to climb. it's just costing more to fly and maybe people are finding the increase more than they are willing to pay.

what are everyone Else's opinions on why the number of flights is down? remember this is more of the chartered/sunday flyer's, not so much the sched traffic.

just a side note so i can complain, i paid $1.369/liter today to fill my car. that's $5.18/gallon if my math is correct. that is stupid, what makes it worse is they are talking about it going above $1.60/liter ($6.06/gallon) by the end of summer in Canada. if this keeps up I'm going to be driving a dog sled come winter. whats gas worth in the states?

[cactushp]

People will always cut luxuries like fishing in Canada from an airplane 1st if prices rise.

[Canadian eh]

yeah i check that fishing would be a bonus on top of flying but i was more or less trying to find out if there was other issues in the states that might be affecting this sorta travel. not trying to sound like a @## cactushp, just clarifying what i was trying to get answered, hence is there other things affecting travel or lack there of that I'm missing here?

[KSYR-pjr]

I have seen a few surveys asking US-based general aviation pilots how the rising fuel price is affecting their flying.  On average, about 30% indicated that they are getting out all together and another 30% suggest that their flying has been cut way back.  Based on what I am seeing at the airports in the Northeast US I would say that the survey number of 30% getting out is not representative of the flying population (too high), but the fact is that people are hanging it up.

My concern is that a drop in flying will result in an increase in GA accidents per some number of standard hours flown, since arguably non-career pilots will be less proficient than in years past.

As far as auto fuel goes IMO a comparison of prices across countries is not valid, in part due to how many countries (Canada and European countries specifically) add more   taxes to the base gas/petrol price than in the US.   But, since you asked the average price per gallon for auto gasoline is running around $4.10 or so.  This dramatic rise is having a profound effect on driving habits in the US, too.