You guys in america are lucky in Oz we have to get flight instruction until we solo and pass a test, the lessons cost around $35 hour on their equipment. but my instructor was a great help and usually didnt take the money after the first few lessons and after i could fly solo and wasnt a member of the club he let me fly under his membership which was great. I work in the LHS and see how many people are turned off flying as soon as you tell them they have to get lessons and join a club. Over here it is $250 a year for an adult and $150 for concessions. This is an unreal price to have to pay and it all adds up. At the local field it is packed and you can hardly get a spot to set up. People are very interested in the hobby and i see so many people walk out the door with a huge smile on their face after they have brought a R/C heli or plane, But i also see the 9/10 who walk out unhappy and upset becasue it would cost them at least $1000+ just to fly a typical tranier at a club for a year. Its easy to pay for the club fees or for the plane but both together really add up. One day i will get my instructors license ( another thing in oz you must have to buddy box with someone) and get a trainer and do some instruction for the cost of the fuel used, which i think is fair.
Cheers,
Sam