No wonder microlighting is flourishing.
Train at an unlicenced airfield.
Fly for 20 to 25 pounds per hour once qualified.
Fewer hours to get licence.
Lower training hourly rate.
Cheaper medical (free in some cases).
Cheaper aircraft even during training.
Plenty of places to go, many farm strips don't charge for landings.
No need to buy epaulettes or backless gloves.
The comradery has to be experienced to be believed.
In answer to a point made by a previous poster, I found that the skills I was taught during my training for PPL(H) have been entirely adequate for actually getting into a flying machine and going places.
Andrew