Well, there's no limit on the type of plane a private pilot can fly as long as they meet the ratings on their license. If you are rated to fly single-engine land airplanes, you can fly any of them, so long as they are less than 12,500 pounds and not turbine-powered.

Yes, you can fly a single-engine plane, but you must first obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) or a Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL) with a Single Engine Piston (SEP) rating. In 2026, the process remains rigorous: you must pass a medical exam, complete a minimum of 40–45 hours of flight training (depending on your country's regulations), and pass several written exams covering navigation, meteorology, and air law. Once you have your license, you are generally restricted to non-commercial flying in visual weather conditions. If you wish to fly "complex" single-engine planes—those with retractable landing gear or controllable-pitch propellers—you will need additional "difference training" and endorsements from a qualified instructor. Flying a single-engine aircraft is a liberating experience, but it requires a commitment to ongoing proficiency and a strict adherence to safety checklists to manage the responsibility of being the sole pilot in command.