hmm, aviation is a motorsport.
That means it costs money, a fair bit of money, though that is subjective.
As a motorsport, it is relatively similar to other motorsports, eg I know guys who are motorcycle couriers just because they love to ride bikes...
I know aircraft owners who have aircraft just so they can tell others that they have one.... and others who only ever take it out on the odd weekend when it's not raining... just like I know bike riders with $100,000 bikes.
Fickle game this one and not unlike racing cars, boats or motorbikes.
I am led to believe RAAus hours only count towards PPL/CPL, not ATPL. Too lazy to look it up at the moment.