MR, I was in Kathmandu and spoke to one of the guys flying there. He told me that he struggles to spend more than $1000 a month and is saving well over $3000 each month. I also went up to Everest Base Camp (just before the avalanche). The trip was amazing. There was fresh powder on the ground at Kala Pathar so take off was challenging with super low visibility from flying powder. It was like a dust storm.
I offered to fly for free as second pilot for six months but Shree refused. I don't have enough time or mountain experience! They only take Nepalese as trainees.