First Flying Lesson - anyone with experience?

[SMKR]

I think I'm going to buy a flying lesson for a Christmas present. Do any of the resident pilots / aviation junkies have any insight regarding the best location in the metroplex for this?

My brother did this in Mesquite in the mid-90's and that's my only exposure.

http://mesquiteaviation.com/discover.html

EDIT: I should clarify - I'm buying this for someone else as a gift. It's not for me; not for someone looking to gain a pilot's license. Pretty much a one-time experience.

Get your check book ready

[SMKR]

What does it cost a person to just get a license to own/fly a small plane? What would yearly maintenance costs on a plane flown weekly around 6 hours be? Where is a good place to get started?

What would be a good plane for trips of 4-500 miles by air for two people? Same question for four people and minimal luggage?

Last question, where is a good place to get started on costs associated with ownership. I know what hanger space locally is, just trying to get a grasp on cost of ownership.

Planes aren't that pricey, it's everything else that costs a fortune