BTW, not the entire EU is so expensive. Czech Republic is a decent example (prices converted to £ for convenience):
PPL written test or practical exam: £10
ATPL(A) written test (all modules) or practical exam: £33
Airworthiness inspection (under 5700 kg): £33
Class 2 medical: initial £95, renewal by AME £20
Class 1 medical: initial £302, renewal £81
Landing fees: most GA-only aerodromes £2-3; bigger ones £8-10; LKLT (GA aerodrome in Prague within walking distance of a metro station) £10-20, depending on A/C
Least expensive C152 rental: £66; least expensive in Prague - £100 (non-member price)

Can you get an FAA licence/medical/renewal/BFR in Czech Republic?

hhobbit, FAA medical - yes, at the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Prague, at a slightly lower price than EASA one.
License/BFR - haven't heard of any FAA examiners in Czech Republic, but who knows...

ALL ICAO training is acceptable towards any FAA license or rating.

There are even plenty of FAA instructors - both freelance and ones working through various businesses offering FAA training.

It is getting European FAA checkrides which is reportedly very difficult these days.

Therefore, most of the outfits offering FAA training eventually send everybody to a school in the USA (with whom they have a good relationship) for the last few hours and the checkride.

US Airports tend to be subsidised by the city, but in my opinion that is the right thing to do. What the Americans realise is that by subsidising the airport, it generates revenue for the local economy. In the UK everything is run as a business so wants to make as much money as possible, which is why it costs yoy £35++ to fly into Bournemouth. No wonder people don't start a Bournemouth Gatwick airline, it would never work, the fees would cripple the company.

I flew into Tucson Int. a few months ago. Flew in and landed and taxied to Tucson Jet Centre and parked up for a couple of days (in a Twin). The landing fee was....£0 and the FBO charged....£0...Even though I had a couple of flights in between. I suppose they make their money on the Bizjets that need to be serviced, fueled, oxygenated, cleaned and they make a small bit from the fuel I uploaded (which was comparable to elsewhere). I guess the airfield "makes money" from the F16's doing circuit training - i.e. from the Government and local city and ATCOs are employed by the city / government.

I do think it is kind of wrong to have a National Air Traffic Service which has to make a profit, along with a Civil Aviation Authority which has to turn a profit. These things should be solely funded by government IMHO...

PS on the subject of big open spaces - I agree and would always tend to rent an aeroplane which can do 150 kts + when out West. Either that or just stop at as many of the little airports as you can for a coffee or something. That's the beauty, you can be flying over somewhere and just decide to pull in for a coffee on the spur of the moment, no problem.

Since 1776 the English have been asking the same thing about America. High Taxes Baby they just don't lead to freedom in anything, especially aviation.

Saw this thread and couldn't help but comment....I am equally astonished at how expensive this game is in the UK. Over here in New Zealand (and Australia) the prices of everything are much more closely aligned with the US, cheaper in some areas.
Comes down to one major factor I think, the commercial traffic in the UK is a million times more dense and busy compared to NZ, and the country is basically the same size...with 8 times the population....

I mean, 150pounds per hour for a 172XP I don't care how much you get for working behind a bar that is lunacy.