ORIGINAL: TimD.
Why dont you post a blind poll and ask the variable questions of why ? (money, political, boredom, change of priority so on).
I myself was a jet fanatic for 15yrs went to multiple events, had 15-20 jets in the hanger at any given time . Now I have sold off all jets, keeping only the ones I make myself . This comes from two reasons . Closing my two companys ( of 21yrs) so I really do not have the extra funds to play with the high end stuff anymore and second the hight of the Jet arena was in the 90's -early 00's with the development of the modelers jet engine created a craze.
Back then I had more money than time , nowdays I have more time than money. So I have gone back to where I enjoyed the hobby. I build kits make my own and enjoy it . It does not cost me an arm or a second born to to play. But I am still active in the hobby just in a different perspective.
I have watched the jet arena over a couple of decades and my conclusion is it has slowly outpriced itself in todays enviroment.
Very interesting perspective. I have been thinking along similar lines for the discipline I am heavily involved in: some of the high end stuff costs an arm and a leg (but not as much as jets) so I have almost always built my own.
On the other hand, guys tie up 10G+ on top level 40% IMAC thoroughbreds all the time and this side of the sport doesn't seem to be slowing much