ow the flying hours really become expensive since fixed cost+ variable cost/ hrs makes the bill.
True but the total cost does go down in relation to how much you fly. The variable costs (fuel, oil) are in direct proportion to hours flown. The fixed ones aren't of course so the cost per hour goes up, but the total per year goes down. I can fly 50 hours and spend $3000 per year on fuel, or fly 25 and spend $1500, and when you fly less the looming engine overhaul is further out.
So you have to factor in budget, and there's the emotional factor of owning instead of hiring. Hiring can be a PITA especially when there is little in the way of local choice and the local school runs like the monopoly he is. I have to drive about an hour to find another airfield and place to hire.
You may be able to rent block time from a local aircraft owner though. And if you own, it's a way of sharing the costs.
Personally, I own for the reason above: the choice of local rentals. It's expensive, but then what hobby for grown men (and some grown women!) isn't? From what I hear, sailing, motorbikes, sports cars, snowmobiles, and, umm, Tiger Woods' hobby (sorry couldn't resist
), they all add up and except for flying 20 y.o. spam can like I do, their toys tend to depreciate in value over time, some (bikes, cars) like a stone actually.
I've seen guys spend $10k p.a. plus on things like snowmobiles or sailing. I spend significantly less than that per year on my Sundowner. When the price of fuel skyrocketed, I flew just as often, but shorter flights
And I get to decide when to fly. No more showing up for a booking and being told "oh, sorry, we sent a guy out on a solo x-country, he has a flight test coming up and the weather was ideal for it...". Yes it did happen. Frequently.
Beech