Get a PPL if:
- you plan a long-term commitment to flying, and more ratings later
- you live near an airport, or can trailer in an airplane
- you make a good salary for your region (or live at home)
- you're healthy (can pass a required FAA airman exam)
- you plan to fly at least once or twice a month for airplanes, twice per month for helicopters
Don't get a PPL if:
- you want to travel and can't afford a fast-enough airplane
- it's an expensive bucket list item to cross off, then forget
- you have severe ADHD, dyslexia or problems reading
- you have a DUI or seizures (disallowed), diabetes, apnea or cardiac problems (on-going special issuance paperwork.)
- you care about family approval, but your partner is afraid for your safety
- you don't like rules (FAA, flight schools and clubs have tons of rules and regulations)
- want to make money flying (you need a commercial+ rating to charge money)
Note that after you get your PPL, you will have a baseline of skills that lets you fly safely under cheaper, less-regulated rules, like ultralight, experimental and LSA.
For example, for safe, low-cost long-term flying, a PPL followed by purchase of a Hummel all-metal ultralight trailerable airplane (~$30k) would be ideal for local VFR flight for one person.
https://flyhummel.com/
Source: commercially-rated pilot.
- you plan a long-term commitment to flying, and more ratings later
- you live near an airport, or can trailer in an airplane
- you make a good salary for your region (or live at home)
- you're healthy (can pass a required FAA airman exam)
- you plan to fly at least once or twice a month for airplanes, twice per month for helicopters
Don't get a PPL if:
- you want to travel and can't afford a fast-enough airplane
- it's an expensive bucket list item to cross off, then forget
- you have severe ADHD, dyslexia or problems reading
- you have a DUI or seizures (disallowed), diabetes, apnea or cardiac problems (on-going special issuance paperwork.)
- you care about family approval, but your partner is afraid for your safety
- you don't like rules (FAA, flight schools and clubs have tons of rules and regulations)
- want to make money flying (you need a commercial+ rating to charge money)
Note that after you get your PPL, you will have a baseline of skills that lets you fly safely under cheaper, less-regulated rules, like ultralight, experimental and LSA.
For example, for safe, low-cost long-term flying, a PPL followed by purchase of a Hummel all-metal ultralight trailerable airplane (~$30k) would be ideal for local VFR flight for one person.
https://flyhummel.com/
Source: commercially-rated pilot.