Well if you are handy with a torch, you can certainly build a plane.

There lots of kits out there, some use smaller, non-Ly-Con engines, which are much more cost effective, if you just want to fly around locally.

Have you seen the magazine; Kitplanes? KITPLANES The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation

Or join the Experimental Aircraft Assn: EAA - Homebuilders

Getting back on topic, the Safety aspect, with the cost of Avgas being $5.50/gallon, I doubt the guys who already have private airplanes are flying them very much. I know the weekend traffic at my little airport has dropped off quite a bit over the past 10 years.

If they aren't flying as much, two things will show up in statistics; less accidents (due to less planes in the air), but also less proficiency of the pilots who aren't flying.

So...be careful out there if you are only flying once every 6mo.