Quote Originally Posted by Dana View Post
In my area, PPG was a big thing at our local airport, until the airport closed. There are many other places to fly, but not being airports, they won't tolerate large groups or frequent flying. For one pilot it's not an issue to fly one day here, another day there, but it's fragmented the PPG scene around and almost nobody flies PPG any more.
So is lack of a suitable location what curtailed PPG activities or is it the overall economy and lack of disposable income that did them in?

5-6 yrs ago I had PPG flying over my house every weekend and many times on weekday evenings. They have also disappeared. I'm not sure what the reason is..........the lake where I live is still quite busy buzzing with jetskis and $$$ wakeboard boats, so I'm not sure it if's economy or location.


In my early days of flying, its was common to have people hanging out at the flight school lounge/lobby socializing. Even more so when I was a member of and instructing in an aero club. Pool table, deck with table, chairs and grill. Viewing area where we could watch takeoffs and landings. Then we had periodic events - poker runs, flyout cities, air tours. It's not the flying aspect that curtailed all that, its the stupid airport/security rules. Not to mention the 8' fences, locked gates and "keep out" signs.