I have just seen online Jetcat FOD screens for over £50 ($80) in the UK[X(] Unfortunately, this isn't the only silly price around at the moment; 'everything' seems to be approaching excessive prices.

For instance, I have also noticed a significant price increase in JR digital servos. I remember not long ago when you could get 8411s for about £55. They are now £75. Lower spec 8321s are £85 a piece. 'Standard' trailing link undercarriage sets cost $600+[X(] Powerbox sensor switches £80 (after all, it's only a switch at the end of the day - albeit a clever one).

I could list loads more bits that have gone up significantly over the last 2 years. Rather than prices decreasing as jets become more popular and more accessible, it seems that manufacturers are cashing in on the expansion of the hobby.

Whilst I cannot do anything about it, I am now looking at alternatives whereas previously I wouldn't. For instance, equipping a typical sport jet with 7 digital servos, with high spec Savox servos instead of JR, could save in the region of £250 ($400). A123s with standard switches and no regulators etc. I am even starting to reduce the number of Festos/fittings I use to an absolute minimum as they are stupidly expensive.

Whilst the price hikes won't drive me out of the hobby, they will cause me to hold on to models longer and build less. With used jet prices at the moment, it's getting to the point where it's more cost effective to strip a second hand airframe of parts and give it away rather than selling it complete.

Maybe I'm just getting old but getting a jet in the air seems a lot more expensive than it used to be[&o].