I think perhaps the OP has a point when he asks are we really giving up stuff. If I desired to play golf more than I desire to fly then I suppose I would be playing golf. Unless you are a multi millionaire then life does come down to choices as to what you spend your money on. I’m not poverty stricken, don’t get me wrong but I have had the odd comment when it crops up in conversation that I fly of ‘rich men’s toys.’ Not in a malicious way it has to be said.

I once had a conversation with a guy at work I know, I work for the county music service by the way. He was interested in the fact that I had a PPL and often made the comment that he would like to do it but couldn’t afford it and he didn’t know where I got the money from. I sat him down and worked out he could easily afford it (he’s on the same pay grade as me) if he gave up xy and z. Most people don’t actually know how much they spend on a night out at the restaurant followed by the pub followed by the taxi. When you do that once a week or maybe more then it soon adds up. As you say Moggy, I would rather be at FL90 exercising mind and spirit than peeing it up against a wall.

Being situated where I am, most interesting things happening are an hour away or less. Old Buck, Duxford, Shuttleworth, Elvington, Bruntingthorpe are all well under an hour. Take a couple of cost sharing mates/pilots to a fly in/wings n wheels and it soon becomes a not as expensive as you think day out. Old Buck next Sunday will be about 45 minutes away and around £60 each for three of us. Less than a night on the town.

But one can always play golf…and with few bucks you can get a disc and play frisbee golf. I have invested 200 euros this summer to play golf..and I played 3 rounds.

One of my aeroplane desings is a small compact plane that fits a ward drobe when wings and tail/prop off. Wouldn’t much change the way of living…but I could end up more dead than my buddies with a 6-7 m spanning 18 hp aeroplane.