Just on the RPL vs PPL, key differences i saw are:
- RPL you can fly an aircraft up to 1500kg vs PPL you can fly up to 5000kg
- RPL is Australia only vs PPL is International recognised licence
- RPL 'theory' knowledge requirement is not as intense as PPL 'theory' (more a direct stepping stone to CPL)
- RPL at $7K, i would be cautious with that figure, my RPL (no Nav) took 40 hours and costs ala $12K.