Leap of faith purchase

I've been thinking (it happens!) that I would like to get my ppl also. Single piston planes seem to very reasonable and something I've always wanted.

 

Hi Brian - I'd recommend going for it! I thought about it for years, and decided I needed to find out about it, for my own peace of mind (didn't want to get too old and wish I had)l. I think I misspoke in my note, but I didn't enjoy it enough considering the expense and commitment involved. But I'm really happy I did it and proud I earned the license!

Although some people join a flying club and don't buy a plane, I wouldn't want any restrictions, and would have bought a 172, if I continued flying. Pretty sure you can get a good one now for under $50k. 152s are a lot less, but hard to practically get more than 2 average people and luggage in them for a real trip with full fuel. And annual costs to run a 152 are really not much less than a 172. I would have planned $600-700/mo for routine service, annual inspection, insurance, fuel, and also salting some money away for the eventual $15k+ 2000hr major overhaul (practically the same whether 152 or 172). Still.. it was worth the cost to learn and experience flying, even though I decided not to keep doing it.