Honestly, I think a lot of people get their pilot license only because they are really rich and can and have the want and means to do it, and they are motivated by how it makes them seem more worldly and sophisticated. But there are people who genuinely love aviation, and are motivated by the love of it to maintain a plane and use it.

I have two friends who have their own planes and both are small planes. I think both are five seaters. One of them is snootier about it than the other, but both are really great guys and while I haven't gone up with either of them, I would trust either of them completely. In fact, my son is staying with one of them this week and is flying with him in the morning. My son has flown with him before, and yes, it makes me nervous as hell, but it went fine all the other times, and I know it will again. If I didn't trust the friend completely, I would be nuts about it. I really don't look at it much differently than when I fly with my son on an Embraer to Chicago.

Not my thing. I love to fly, but I have no desire to be the pilot; nor would I want to board someone's small, private plane while they themselves flew it, after having limited experience doing it. If you're rich enough to afford a plane, then you should be rich enough to hire someone with years of professional pilot experience to fly it for you.

Red, I'm sure your son will be fine. I would be nervous too but that's normal. To me, people having their own plane and a pilot's license to fly it is no different than someone having a boat and knowing how to sail it. Neither is my cup of tea but if you've got the means and love to fly or sail...

I think they get a pilot's license because they want a pilot's license. I know I ain't getting on nobody's private plane. Commercial flights all the way baby!