Flying, as in, piloting a private aircraft? Though cool, I find it very "let them eat cake"

Yes it costs lots of time and money to get the required hours you need to fly. I'm not sure how much but my friend was in Aviation and he had to quit because it cost to much.

owwie you can fly?? wowzies

If you try to fly 1 hour a week with a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) with the goal of a Private Pilot license in mind probably in the 5 grand range over 12 to 18 months. You rent the plane usually "wet" (fuel included) and pay for hobbs time. That's the actual time the engine is running on the Hobbs Hour Meter on the aircraft instrument panel. You'll probably fly 12 to 20 hours before you solo so you have to pay the CFI at the same time per hobbs hour. Depending on the area, a trainer might go for $75 to $100 per hour then you have to pay the CFI too. Best to find an airport or school that offers a "package". Some FBOs (Fixed Base Operators, that's what they are called) offer "block" deals if you prepay in chunks of $500.00 or $1,000.00 (in case you die they still got paid). Most people tend to end up flying at least 30 hours dual (with the CFI) and about 30 solo before getting "signed off" for a checkride with an FAA examiner. There are schools that have professional pilot courses that will take you all of the way to ATP or Airline Transport Pilot for anywhere between 35,000.00 and 70,000.00 depending on the school and the equipment used. However, there is a new Sport Pilot license available that requires much less and can be dirt cheap but limits you to planes less than 1,320 lbs. Check out the EAA for info. If you want to fly RC aircraft, it's less. Maybe 150 to 300 minimum. When you get the bug it can get as expensive as full size planes.