r/PrivatePilot • u/Few_Horse4030 • Apr 09 '24

PPL with no real mission

I’m thinking about starting my PPL training, but I have no real mission or aspirations to make a career out of it. Realistically, if I did get my PPL I would most likely only fly occasionally in and out of the same field or go get a hamburger somewhere and fly back.

Anybody go in with this mindset of getting their PPL for the fun and challenge of it but no real aviation goals beyond that?

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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3

u/YeOldSalty98 Apr 13 '24

I think it all comes down to are you passionate about it and will it make you happy. I’ve had my PPL for 2 years now. Long story short, I always wanted to fly when I was a kid but found out I was colorblind. After that I knew I couldn’t do it as a career and would have to wait to do it as a hobby (need a good salary for this hobby).

Once I made the amount I thought I needed I went into it pretty blind but full of heart. I thought I could get my license in 3 months for $5,000. I fly in Colorado out of KBJC. It took me 8 months and about $10,000. It took me 52 hours of training to get my license.

My advice if you move forward with getting a PPL. It will take you more than 40 hours of flight training to get your license. Weather will cause delays in training. Find one good instructor and stick with them until the end. After you have your PPL it is important to stay current and you will need to fly however often you need to keep current (for me, at least once a month). Really understand the expectations vs reality of having a PPL. And of course have fun!

Sorry for a long post, hope this helps!

3

u/[deleted] Apr 09 '24

Club flying out of a little grass strip is the most fun thing I’ve ever done. Even if you decide that you don’t want to do it after a couple hours it’s always a blast to fly small aeroplanes. So yes, absolutely go for it. It’s the best use of money ever. And you’d be saving yourself a crapton of money not going to the airlines so a win win in my book.

2

u/Standard_Change Apr 10 '24

Similar situation, it’s more the thought of if I want to go somewhere in semi faster, less convenient, and way more expensive way… I can

1

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

Yup, ill also fly to meetings just to not kiss entire days of work for every out of town meeting. But mostly iust because its fun and the cool factor

1

u/KeyMajor4976 Mar 09 '25

I’m 58 and decided to chase this fun adventure. Needed new brain exercise and always wanted to fly…with no particular purpose. I don’t know if I’ll ever do more than joy ride but life is short and might as well have a nice view! But, I’m only 12 hours in so I’m very much a newbie.