Other than cost SEL IFR and VFR flying is not that different than when I
started in 1976. Better avionics degrades map/compass/vor navigational
skills but I don't see many other differences.

As for cost when I started in 1976 my rental was a 3 year old IFR equipped
C177RG which was $25/hr wet and C150s were $15/hr wet. Instructor $12/hr (at
least that hasn't changed).

Today I spend about $15/hr for insurance. $50/hr fuel. Other costs
hanger/annual/reserve and occassional maint make up the rest.

So if cost (within reason) is not a problem then I would suggest starting
your training.

Howard
"Google Madness" wrote in message
news7cKh.3341$I56.128@trnddc06...
Twenty years ago I almost got into flying, I'd even taken my Discovery
Flight and was all set to dive in. Then my wife-to-be put the kabosh on it
saying it was too much money.
Now money isn't so much an issue anymore and I'm all set once again to
follow my dream of having my PPL.
But, I've heard so many depressing things about the state of ( and future
of ) GA I'm wondering if the era of GA has passed me by.

Here's one article, like many others that I've read, that expresses many
of
the issues that sounds so dismal for GA. I'm now seriously considering
scrapping the idea of a PPL once again but I'd like to hear from some
people
out there if the situation is not really as bad as this sounds.


http://www.megginson.com/blogs/lahso...eral-aviation/

Thanks