Let me give you my perspective, as a pattern flyer, as to why I think more people
don't fly pattern. I think it has very little to do with money. I started flying pattern
in 1969 till somewhere in the 80's and because of job, marriage, etc quit flying for
over 20 years then started again last year. I still flew airplanes , just didn't have the
time to invest that is needed to be any good at pattern.
You can take any halfway good airplane and go out for a day and enjoy yourself, it
doesn't need to be as precise as a pattern ship. I think a lot of people like 3-D because
they can just fly all over the sky and do any sort of maneuver and it looks pretty cool
and with pattern it has to be an exact size, speed, order, and placement , a lot harder
than it looks. The pattern ships also need to be built more precise, how many sport
planes have you seen with wing adjusters, etc ?
I think most people don't have, or want to invest the time it takes to be successful
in pattern and that's OK, after all this is hobby is for enjoyment, or it should be.
Do what you like to do !

tommy s