First, re-read my post. I said the introductory flight is always free. I can't think of a better way to promote the hobby, or maybe waiting in line for an elitist "instructor" to throw you a bone, and let you fly....Second when you are flying with the instructors equipment, there IS no initial high cost, and in fact YOU FIND OUT IF YOU WANT TO STAY IN THE HOBBY BEFORE YOU SPEND A FOURTUNE. You can't tell me EVERYONE who flys a plane is going to do it for life, no way, no how.
Let's review- a free flight, then a few bucks to find out if you want to stick with it, or a wad of money up front, to either crash it all with no instruction, or wait endlessly until you "get your turn". Hmmm.....