Wise words from Mike Cross.
Too many new and inexperienced pilots think that they can use an aeroplane to (1) impress their friends (2)transport their family to vacationland in Europe (3) use in business.
To impress your friends, buy a really interesting vintage car. Taking your friends on a jolly in your aeroplane will (1) bore them (2) make them sick, (3)piss them off or frighten them with weather problems, delays, etc. Even the deepest pockets and the most experienced pilots of light aircraft or helicopters must be prepared to do a 180 in bad weather. Businessmen on the ground driving to the conference may take longer, but are reasonably sure to arrive.
Now if you just love flying, don't do it to impress your friends and family. Do it in something interesting and challenging. A Pitts Special, a Piper Cub, a Tiger Moth, a Soviet fighter plane, (or - dare I mention - a glider, which if you want to impress can set you back £80,000 - or less than £3,000 ) I know you will ignore that last suggestion, but maybe others who read this may think on.