I've always wanted to fly but the best I can do so far is flight simulation. I don't have the money, or frankly the time, to go though flying lessons. Well, if I had the money, I'd make the time, but it's on my life's TO-DO list.
As far as flight simulation, you can get hooked up with Microsoft Flight Simulator (or X-Plane) and then see
VATSIM for flying online with real-time traffic control. Lots of commercial pilots (and home enthusiasts too) on there, so it makes the flying both realistic and good for n00bs to get into it too. There are also virtual airlines that you can fly for too. IE:
American Flight Airways. It's certainly fun, and the hobby can be as cheap as buying MSFS (since VATSIM is all free utils to run) or buying a whole bunch of outboard equipment (not only joysticks, but also outboard mounted gauges, fully modeled aircraft and satellite photo scenery). Lots of resources out there.
Safe skies!
