Hi Lud,
I'm sure you would have great fun on a short flight in a small plane.
I believe the flight schools generally try to get someone started with a lot of paperwork & theory stuff, which is actually very important.
Might be good to ask people at a flight school who you should hire for a joy ride.
As I grew up I was surrounded by airports, large to small. The promise of civilian aviation was greatly promoted nationally... and, as you say, fizzled to a most complicated and never-ending amount of expensive restriction.
I always liked this Aeronca C-2...
...Then FAR252 was allowed at a size and weight that, IMO, is marginal on the scale of safety. Another 100lbs allowance could have been so much better, and useful.
Somewhere along the way it's most likely insurance costs that have stopped most flying activity in the country. We are Blessed with many lawyers!
...Even the rodeos held for public entertainment must be sponsored through one of the large fraternal non-profit charitable organizations such as the Elks, in order to get affordable insurance for the event.
I did not have the diligence necessary to pursue aviation, and was notably reckless when younger... motorcycles it was, for the likes of me ! lol
rc
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