I never harbored a desire to fly. A plane.

Landing one. That's a different story.

Lots of movies depict a frightening situation in the cockpit requiring someone to safely land the plane.

Being able to gently remove the heart attack stricken pilot, occupy her/his seat. Glide the plane to the ground. Put the minimum number of people at risk. Damage the fewest number of buildings. Would be a life saving skill worth having. Akin to knowing CPR. Or how to save a person from drowning.

Take off, not so important. Landing, critical.