Rocky Stevens writes:

Not that it really matters, but I am sure you could pass the FAA
written; it is a very easy, multiple choice test.

Maybe, but tests tend to stress me a lot and I don't do well on them. I hate
competition.

I think the study guides may even have the actual questions that
will be asked in them.

I have a little blue one that is pretty good that I've read through on many
occasions.

But you are right about the cost; it is pretty damned expensive.

Even more so in Europe. Here I've been told that the private pilot license
could cost up to $30,000, and an IFR rating would double that.

FWIW, I think you would really dislike lessons anyway, as your
intellectual curiosity would not be satisfied, and very well may
irritate the hell out of your instructor (you can see the responses
you get here).

That has always been a problem for me in such environments, although it
depends on the structure and the instructor. Instructors who are insecure or
incompetent enough to dislike questioning come to hate me very quickly. Those
who enjoy elaborating on all sorts of details find me a refreshing change from
many students (who often are only interesting in learning enough to pass an
exam).