Paul Folbrecht writes:

I bet most here were well aware of that, but I think I just learned
something important. Why the hell isn't that pointed out in the PPL
study materials? The implication from what I'd read is definitely
that you can only PERFORM "basic maintenance" as a PP.

Probably because most instructors aren't airplane owners.

I know that there are frequent contributors here who are airplane
owners and CFI's, so I'm sure I'll hear about it, but I'm talking
in general, run of the mill FBO's, your average rental outfit, and
so on.

-jav