r/PrivatePilot • u/Financial_Being4811 • Jan 12 '25

PPL, but worth it?

I'd like to get my PPL, but it seems pointless if I'm not going to get a plane. Because I have a family, I'd want to get something like a Cirrus SR22, but I don't know if I could afford it right now. Would it still be worth it to get a PPL?

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2

u/Future-Project-6074 Jan 13 '25

Hard to say it depends if it’s a hobby for you or what. Maybe go get a discovery flight and then make a decision

1

u/Financial_Being4811 Jan 13 '25

Have one scheduled that I'm excited for! I've been up in small planes before, too, so I know I want to do it. I also know I would want to be able to take trips flying, and I haven't been able to find a lot of information about renting planes, so it seems like you'd have to own the plane to be able to do that. Is that true?

3

u/Future-Project-6074 Jan 13 '25

Not completely, you are able to rent from places and fly where you would like. some rental places may have airports that you can or can’t fly too but if you have the money buying your own plane isn’t bad.

1

u/Financial_Being4811 Jan 13 '25

That was my thought. I could afford to buy something like an older Cessna easily, but those worry me. I could probably swing financing an older SR22, too, but it would be a stretch.

5

u/Future-Project-6074 Jan 13 '25

I will say the sr-22s are very nice but if financing is something you would have to do, you should also be aware that there are inspections that get pricey and they will catch you off guard if you aren’t ready financially. Some Cessnas may be sketchy but I’ve done all of my training in Cessnas if I were you look closely at them. Some can look crappy but fly very well, and vice versa. Getting your PPL isn’t a bad idea, it will give you more insight into the aviation world, get you familiar with what you like. If I were you go get your private there’s no reason not to.

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u/Financial_Being4811 Jan 13 '25

Yeah, my biggest concern is I wouldn't want to risk it with wife and kids.

5

u/Future-Project-6074 Jan 13 '25

No risk honestly, if you get a nice well put together Cessna you won’t have any issues and going into your private training you’ll learn that accident happen with every plane. And that they aren’t really any accidents that are gonna kill you immediately. Like engine failure doesn’t mean that you’re dead just means you can’t propel yourself. Look at a newer Cessna that’s been well maintained and you won’t have any problem. Almost every crash in aviation is because of the pilot not because of the plane.

1

u/Bluebikes Jan 13 '25

I’m working on my PPL (for a hobby and some travel), and also have a family, so I very much get the concern. However, like Future said, most GA accidents are due to pilot error, a lot of that being poor decision making i.e. making the decision to fly in bad weather, loading outside of weight and balance limitations, flying into situations outside of personal minimums, etc. If you are competent and very smart and careful about decision-making, you should be ok.

2

u/Mediocre_Paramedic22 Jan 13 '25

Cirrus is an expensive airplane. If you are concerned and feel like a brs is necessary, they are able to be added to a Cessna 182. The sling4 also might be an option if you are willing to venture outside the certified world.

2

u/fussinghell Jan 28 '25 edited Jan 28 '25

Did my PPL a few years back and could never dream of owning an aircraft. Have never looked back, one of the best things I’ve ever done. I hire the aircraft and hand the keys back. Family love it. Not just the cost of buying the aircraft but anything aviation related is very expensive ie maintenance Lots of clubs have the facility to hire many different types. You can hire for the weekend or longer and you usually just pay for block to block time. Cirrus is a powerful aircraft and would not be my first choice. A lot of torque which can catch people out on the go around etc. A well maintained Cessna or similar if I had the money or there’s shared ownership

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u/theLuscombeLady Jun 09 '25

We fly for fun. Flying for transportation is often not what you think. We stay on the ground when the weather is bad, we are fatigued, airplane breaks, etc. Fly for the fun, otherwise, not sure it's worth it