Am I crazy for wanting a PPL at age 30?

Not crazy at all; you should go for it. When I was an instructor, many of my students were well past 30.

As for what airplane you can fly. In the US, a PPL only designates what type of flying you can do. As a PPL you can't be paid for flying, you can fly in the furtherance of a business, and you can share costs with your passengers, equally.

The ratings that you have on your certificate tell what you can fly. Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Sea, Airplane Multiengine Land, Airplane Multiengine Sea, should all be mostly self-explanatory. With these ratings you can fly anything that weighs up to 12, 500 lbs.

EXCEPT: You need a CFI's logbook endorsement to fly a complex airplane (controllable prop, retractable gear, and flaps). You need a CFI's logbook endorsement to fly a high performance airplane (engine more than 200 HP---interestingly enough a twin with two 180HP engines is not high performance). If the aircraft is pressurized, then a CFI's logbook endorsement is required.

Also, depending on what you vision in your bad eye is correctable to, and, if it is even required, depending on whether the FAA will grant a waiver, you might even be able to pursue a career as a professional. Just a thought.

Good luck, and have fun.

There's nothing ridiculous about getting a private pilot certificate at any age! The majority of private pilots get their license after achieving a level of success on their careers. It's a pretty rare 20 something that can afford to fly for the fun of it, or has a business justification fro flying them selves.

A private certificate with no additional ratings allows you to fly a single engine plane with fixed landing gear and less than 200 horsepower in visual conditions.

. Flying a "complex" or "high performance" single (with retractable gear or more than 200 hp, respectively) just requires that and instructor endorses you for these operations, which normally requires a couple extra hours of instruction in an appropriate aircraft.

Flying in bad weather requires an instrument rating, which is really a separate license, with a separate written test, training and practical test requirement.

Flying a multi-engine plane requires a multi-engine rating, which normally requires 10 to 20 hours of multi-engine instruction.

The previous response is incorrect, a second class medical is not required for a private pilot, only a third class medical.

The average PPL in the United States is around 48 years old, so you're actually quite young compared to the typical private pilot. Many people don't get licenses until they are older because the costs of flying are very high, and they need to build up a substantial income before they can afford to indulge their desire to fly.

So relax, you have lots and lots of time to get your PPL. And there's no age limit on a private pilot's license, so you can get one even at age 90, as long as you can pass the medical.

You can fly whatever you get certified for, which can include multiengine, complex, etc. It mainly depends on how much time and money you are prepared to spend. The only thing you cannot do is fly passengers for hire, which requires a commercial license (and in some cases an ATP as well).

You're not crazy to want to get your PPL at age 30. Plenty of people get their PPL at all ages and older for the fun of it and for business.

If you can pass the 3rd class medical, the written exam and practical flight test, you can get your PPL! Go for it and have fun!

Some of the largest aircraft that you might fly with your PPL might be multi engine aircraft with additional flight training and a complex and multi engine rating, or even larger aircraft if you get a type rating in that type of aircraft, like small jets if you had the money to.

Some of the largest single engine aircraft you could fly without a multi engine rating would be a single engine turbo prop like the Pilatos, Socata or Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.

No, not at all. Flying is one of those things that you do because you love it. Providing you have the neccesary means (money, health, etc) I don't think that anything should stop you. I am currently 16 and doing my PPL but a good friend of mine is also doing his at the age of 40. There is a woman at my airfield who frequently flies at the age of 65.

With regard to your last question, I believe that there is nothing stopping you flying any size of aircraft provided you are type-rated on it. If you have tens thousands of pounds to be type-rated on a B747-400/C5/AN-224, etc, there is nothing stopping you.

DEFINATELY do your PPL is you have the means and the will!

Not crazy at all! The oldest student I ever flew with was well into his 80's when he decided to learn how to fly and my local flying club examined a guy in his 70's last summer (he passed and is now a PPL).

If you're looking for a school in your local area these websites might be worth checking out:

http://www.bestaviation.net/

http://www.flightschooldb.com/

Don't worry, you are not out of place. Whilst i was doing my PPL there was one student with us, about 40 years old, who was sitting for the PPL for the fun of it. So there are people older than you who want the same thing.

Don't let age stop you, but first i recommend you sit for your medical class 2 to make sure you are fit to sit for your license.

Good luck and don't forget, have fun!!

I took my first instruction for a ppl 1965, made my first log book entry in 1971 and in 2001 at age 49 I got my ppl.

i was not in a hurry and the money wasn't right, but i finished what i started.

And not ashamed.

Why would it be ridiculous? There are tons of private pilots flying around who never took a lesson until they were retired. Heck, there are tons of airline pilots flying around who never touched an airplane until they were in their 30s.

Crazy? Not at all! I've taught grandmothers over 60 how to fly. Except for the expense, it will be good for you in more ways than you can possibly imagine.