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Re:The $20 an hour Cessna 172 experiment by Toutouxc on Thursday February 09, 2023 @03:08PM (#34730585)
I'd literally fly a bicycle with wings for fifteen minutes at a time if that made [fixed-wing] aviation more affordable. I live in one of the better-off eastern-bloc countries and I make significantly more than most people I know, but getting a PPL would almost certainly ruin me financially at this moment.

I know that paragliding and hang gliding exist, but those are a bit out of my comfort (and safety) zone.

Re:The $20 an hour Cessna 172 experiment by jacquesm on Thursday February 09, 2023 @03:43PM (#34731111)
There are clubs that own small aircraft that you can fly, I've done some time in these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikarus_C42

Technically it is a microlight but top speed and handling are much closer to a regular GA craft. I absolutely loved it and if my eyesight was better I'd definitely go for a license.

Re:The $20 an hour Cessna 172 experiment by outworlder on Thursday February 09, 2023 @05:27PM (#34732577)
There are also actual gliders (aka soaring). These are planes in all but the engine, and are pretty safe.
Re:The $20 an hour Cessna 172 experiment by Axien on Thursday February 09, 2023 @07:26PM (#34733832)
Buy a Cessna 150 or 152. About the same as your bicycle and about as affordable.