Dave:
Your comments on why students do not complete their private pilot training are, sadly, mostly correct. There has always been a high dropout rate of students, often just after solo, or just after their first cross-country flight. Perhaps the percentage of drops is a little higher now than in previous decades on account of more complexities and ever-increasing costs.
But to some degree, drops have to be taken with a grain of salt. Some people start lessons with no intention of finishing…they just want some “stick time” and perhaps enough training to solo, or land safely if a “real” pilot sitting next to them has a medical emergency.
We as an industry have to do a much better job of selling the joy and practicality of flying to the general public!
Pete Schoeninger
Hartland, Wisconsin