Recreational vs. Private Pilot Licence

Here is a direct comparison between the Recreational Permit and Private Pilot licence.

Recreational Permit	Private Licence
Recreational Permit Requirements: 25 flying hours minimum 35 flying hours average to complete No ground school is required. (You must still pass a written exam, most students take the PPL ground school)	Private Licence Requirements: 45 flying hours minimum 55 flying hours average to complete 40 hours ground school
Class 4 medical: Medical declaration with any family doctor (ask for form)	Class 3 medical: Aviation medical doctor.
Recreational Privileges: One passenger Airplane with 4 seats or less In Canada only Day, in good weather only No ratings or endorsements to upgrade except float rating. Easy upgrade to Private Licence	Private Privileges: No passenger limit No airplane limit World wide Day, in good weather only Ratings and endorsements may be added to fly at night, multi engine, or instrument weather conditions.
Who should get a Recreational? Fly for fun To fly a homebuilt, or ultra light Want to get a start in aviation for less cost and then upgrade later.	Who should get a Private? Fly for fun Use aviation for business Use aviation for traveling To fly advanced airplanes To fly to the United States As a first step in an aviation career.
Both courses are the same for the first 15 hours. A student does not have to decide before starting which course to take. A Recreational pilot may write the Private written exam, thus saving having to write another written exam with upgrade to PPL within 2 years.