A few of my friends are working on getting licensed. None own planes and will be renting them as needed in the future. That is a great question.
Some people never give it a thought.
The following is an explanation of the Federal Aviation Administration requirements. All aircraft require periodic inspections. One type is done annually, and consists of a thorough inspection of everything mechanical and electrical in the aircraft. It must be done by a certified mechanic, and signed off as completed and reviewed by a certified aviation inspector. Some systems on the aircraft require calibration and checking periodically by a mechanic licensed properly.