Jugs08
1st May 2012, 03:59
Hi guys, just back from the USA after some hour building. For all those looking to traverse the minefield i've recently have a fantastic experience at Sunquest Avaition. They are a fairly small operation but did not ask for a penny upfront until I arrived, they even let me go flying for the checkride before putting cash into my account something quite rare in the flight industry these days.
Cost
Basically I had the aircraft for 3 weeks scheduled for 7-9 hrs a day sometimes the whole day and periods covering 36hrs; which was pretty good since they only have 2x C152 (they have other aircraft too btw). The price was 94$/£58 an hour.
Environment
The airfield is not controlled firstly so it's the same as Leicester Radio. However as soon as you take off you will usually need to contact West Palm Beach App which is a busy international airport. People say that Florida isnt as good; but i've got alot more experience in different things by going there such as parallel approachs into busy Class B,C,D airspace such as Tampa, Orlando and West Palm with 737's ect Also I landed at Miami the only one i had to pay which was 26bucks; now for that you get to be in the environment you will aiming to be one day as you have to talk to Clearance, Ground, Tower, Deperature something again not possible in the UK without paying alot of cash. Landing on crossing runways and holding short, using ATIS reports like at bigger UK airports is common at small GA fields. Also you will have to think about what RW you need to be on when there are 4 rather than our one. Yes it may be obvious stuff but when you have a 737 a few hundred metres to the side you can't afford to drift off the centerline of mess up your turn final. ( sounds obivous but i'm sure its beem done)
The service from the FBO's you get are fantastic they pull up fuel you up if required chock your aircraft and some golf buggy you from the ramp. Drinks and food are also provided free.
And the biggest reason is the weather. You can fly for 190nm without clouds some days; there will however be alot of convection so you will have to constantly adjust the aircraft if thermals push you up. You can fly for 2.5hrs to Key West in the Carribean sit on the beach for 3-4hrs then fly home and get a solid 5hrs in one day. Rather than going to some UK airport with nothing there and paying for the privillage to land.
Things are what you make of them. I was sceptical before and a bit daunting on arrival but aviation in the US is awesome. If you guys want any more information on them feel free to PM me.
Cost
Basically I had the aircraft for 3 weeks scheduled for 7-9 hrs a day sometimes the whole day and periods covering 36hrs; which was pretty good since they only have 2x C152 (they have other aircraft too btw). The price was 94$/£58 an hour.
Environment
The airfield is not controlled firstly so it's the same as Leicester Radio. However as soon as you take off you will usually need to contact West Palm Beach App which is a busy international airport. People say that Florida isnt as good; but i've got alot more experience in different things by going there such as parallel approachs into busy Class B,C,D airspace such as Tampa, Orlando and West Palm with 737's ect Also I landed at Miami the only one i had to pay which was 26bucks; now for that you get to be in the environment you will aiming to be one day as you have to talk to Clearance, Ground, Tower, Deperature something again not possible in the UK without paying alot of cash. Landing on crossing runways and holding short, using ATIS reports like at bigger UK airports is common at small GA fields. Also you will have to think about what RW you need to be on when there are 4 rather than our one. Yes it may be obvious stuff but when you have a 737 a few hundred metres to the side you can't afford to drift off the centerline of mess up your turn final. ( sounds obivous but i'm sure its beem done)
The service from the FBO's you get are fantastic they pull up fuel you up if required chock your aircraft and some golf buggy you from the ramp. Drinks and food are also provided free.
And the biggest reason is the weather. You can fly for 190nm without clouds some days; there will however be alot of convection so you will have to constantly adjust the aircraft if thermals push you up. You can fly for 2.5hrs to Key West in the Carribean sit on the beach for 3-4hrs then fly home and get a solid 5hrs in one day. Rather than going to some UK airport with nothing there and paying for the privillage to land.
Things are what you make of them. I was sceptical before and a bit daunting on arrival but aviation in the US is awesome. If you guys want any more information on them feel free to PM me.