I would offer this opinion:

Turbines are as simple as they are going to get, from a manufacturing perspective there really isnt that much to them. If you saw one dissassembled you would say "wow - thats it?" The major costs in parts are the compressor, cast turbine and bearings. That is a fixed cost. The rest takes "x" amount of time to make, and with today's CNC machining centers and lathes I doubt it will get any faster.

But, look a t the last 4 or 5 years. The price has dropped quite a bit, and on the used market there are deals to be had.

I just saw a brand new unrun Artes KJ66 sell on ebay for $1050 US, after the fellow couldnt sell it here on the RCU buy/sell pages for his asking price. That was about what I paid for my home made one for parts and the controller!!

I dont think there will ever be a proliferation of "200 mph jets" in the hands of less than qualified pilots, anymore than there is are 100's of unqualified diamond dust, whiplash, etc flyers who can buy a $500 plane/engine and go faster than many jets... Just because you have a turbine doesnt mean you can afford the airframe or have the skills to put one together, untill of course the ARF market gets more into the turbine crowd.

I think the prices will come down yet a bit more, but not too much more. Also, as the years go by our dollar gets relatively weaker so if the same engine costs the same 5 years from now its actually cheaper.

And not every jet flyer gives a hoot about the AMA cert. since it only applies to those in the USA that want to fly at AMA clubs/events. Thats still only a percentage of jet pilots world wide.

AJC