To enlarge on Captain Midnight's points: I flew my aeroplane from Goulburn to Caloundra earlier this year. 5.5 hours (fun not fast), with an overnight due weather and one turn back due weather. Fuel cost approx $350, accommodation $100. If I had hired an aircraft, probably twice the cost.
I could have transported myself by jet over the same leg for approx $150 and less than 2 hours. Light aeroplanes are not the cost effective transport option of 40 years ago. Perhaps those of us with the aviation obsession need to look at our industry with the eyes of those who are not obsessed.