RE your last paragraph, I think cost is a HUGE factor preventing more young GA pilots. What's the cost to get a PPL these days? In the range of $5000-10000?

RE your last paragraph, I think cost is a HUGE factor preventing more young GA pilots. What's the cost to get a PPL these days? In the range of $5000-10000? And IIRC, the total operating cost per flight hour, even for something like a C-172, is north of $100? Even as a young 30s software engineer with a comfortable salary and a PPL on my bucket list, it looks like a terrifyingly expensive hobby. The vast majority of people simply can't afford it.