Skydog, you bring up some interesting points here for me. We chose and are building a RV9a, and have a O-235 Lycoming motor for it. The RV9a has a 38kt stall and a MTOW of 750kg (with the 0-235 Lyc), and we have been gambling on the 760kg being in by time we get the plane built.
But the way things are looking we most likely will have the plane built well before the 760kg MTOW weight comes in (if it ever does), so we may need to get our ppl to fly it.
As I am 67yo the old sponge in the head is a little hard and does not absorb as well as it used to when I was young, I'm a little concerned I may have trouble getting my PPL.
I'm still going for my RAA, I have 23.5 hours up so far and as I elected to do the XC endorsment as part of my certificate, I've still got a few hours to go. The exams I've done so far I've passed (each 84%). But I have still got the BAK & XC exams to do.
I guess what I am asking here is, did you find getting your PPL any more difficult than getting your RAA.