Maintenance _is_ expensive, because aircraft used for commercial training (not in a flight club) need to have commercial maintenance. Another part is fuel cost, because we're supposed to pay twice as much in Europe compared to North America. And - last but not least - the owner of an aircraft probably needs to pay the rates to his bank .... you need some sort of amortization.
Yes, but all three of these apply in North America as well: maintenance standards are higher for commercially-registered aircraft, commerical insurance costs are ridiculous (they've forced many FBOs and schools out of business since September 11 2001), and North American FBO's also have bank loans to pay.
You can factor out the fuel cost by looking at dry rental rates. For example, in Ottawa a Cessna 150 rents for CAD 69/hour (USD 53/hour) dry. There must be a reason that the same couldn't apply in Europe, only with the pilot paying USD 30-40/hour for fuel instead of USD 15-20/hour.
I'm betting that government intervention (regulation, taxes, etc.) has something to do with it.
All the best,
David
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