The FAA is singularly the reason aviation technology is largely unchanged. They massively increase costs and arguably decrease aviation safety. They've effectively created regulatory capture of all things aviation, which prevents innovation and creates massive barriers to entry. Free travel without tracking is contrary to the wishes of our overlords. So they are destroying light GA. It will be almost dead in another generation or two without major changes. A new plane, such as a 172 or 182 should cost around $60-80k (that's adjusted for inflation). Which means if you can afford a new bass boat you could afford a plane (terms would be 1-15 years vs 1-4). But in reality, expect to up to $500,000. Additionally, canard aircraft are significantly safer and modern engines, aerodynamics, and engineering means you can fly two people at 150-250 mph at around 30mpg or better. But certification makes this almost impossible because the FAA hates canards and few are willing to invest in new technologies because the FAA loathes to certify it. The FAA is largely controlled by airlines and exists to minimize competition. Fewer people flying themselves means more commercial passengers and greater social control. Almost all aviation safety improvements over the last forty to fifty years have been driven by pilots and engineers, in spite of the FAA's efforts. But the FAA's official position is all pilots are trying to kill themselves, therefore the FAA's regulatory burden is what prevents this.