Go West young Man!

[MarcusH]

I am sitting in again today as the weather has been terrible. Thank god for rugby! I have decided that this time next year I am going to go to the USA for some hour building. This is where I need help

1) If I was to go I presume that I can use my EASA licence?

2) Where would I go? I would be looking for a really friendly club type of environment to base myself, with plenty of interesting places to fly to and back from within a day, I would also consider longer trips. A decent standard of aircraft would also be nice. I prefer Cessna.

3) Where has a nice climate at this time of year. I was told that Florida is too busy for the fun type of flying that I love.

So many of you must have some good information that you can pass on.

[9 lives]

Consider Canada. Though cold, winter is not a reason not to fly, and indeed, on a nice winter day, the flying is far superior to a summer day. One place to consider would be Brampton Flying Club, not far from Toronto. British Columbia also will have good choices - Victoria for sure. Big Pistons could offer advice there.

some hour building

I think I know what you mean, but "experience" building is an even more worthy goal. With experience comes hours, and good ones. It's not always the other way around.

[Jan Olieslagers]

Thanks for - once more - offering wisdom, Jim.
How would the typical hourly rental figures compare between USA vs. Canada vs. UK? To ease comparison, take typical club planes like C152 or PA28. Estimating largely, of course.

[AdamFrisch]

California. Great and varied scenery, skill building possibilities with hot and high ops, as busy or quiet airspace as you want, great weather. Can't beat it.

[piperboy84]

California. Great and varied scenery, skill building possibilities with hot and high ops, as busy or quiet airspace as you want, great weather. Can't beat it.

Apart from the torrential rain and monster hail all day today in "sunny" SoCal !!!

[AdamFrisch]

Apart from the torrential rain and monster hail all day today in "sunny" SoCal !!!

The state that will get your IMC skills sharpened as well!!;)

[Maoraigh1]

1) If I was to go I presume that I can use my EASA licence?

Check out the procedure for the US - well in advance of going there..

[India Four Two]

Check out the procedure for the US - well in advance of going there.. 45 to 90 days!

Airmen Certification ? Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification (http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/foreign_license_verification/)

For Canada, it's a quick Fax process for PPLs. See the bottom of this page:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/general-personnel-fore-1812.htm

[Floppy Link]

Re Canada, check out FlightChops on Youtube, he's in Toronto I think - it'll give you an idea of the scenery at least!

[maxred]

LiveLeak.com - Lightning Strikes as Red Skies Roll Into San Francisco

I will leave someone else to post the Metar. Good for scud running.....:cool:

[9 lives]

Marcus, my first post in private flying photos (sticky at the top) have some photos I have taken while flying around Canada....

[MarcusH]

Step Turn
Your photos look superb. I presume that they were not take in March though as I imagine Canada is pure white at this time of year. I wouldn't mind flyin in that sort of environmet though. Beatutful!

Mark

[Sir George Cayley]

Florida this time of year is quite nice.

SGC

[Katamarino]

I fully recommend this plan; flying out here is so much more enjoyable in many ways. California would certainly be my state of choice, but Florida (where I learnt initially) is also fantastic. Check out my website for some ideas of where to fly: www.katamarino.co.uk

No need to limit yourself to one state. Grab an airplane and head out! I can suggest some good places to rent in CA.

[skyhighfallguy]

I second the nomination for California flying for your stage of flying.

A great variety of challenges and beauty.

IF YOU ARE RICH I would tell you one way of doing things.

IF YOU ARE NOT RICH, maybe another course of action. LET us all know and I will answer, either way.

[MarcusH]

Never felt rich, particularly when it comes to flying. But I don't like flying the 150/152 or a lot of low wings because a lot of them don't have space for a big pilot

[ianwild]

I recently relocated from the UK to California and flying in the San Francisco Bay area is stunning (I'm based out of KCCR, but I suspect Palo Alto or Livermore have better aircraft options).

However, if you can cope with really warm, a pretty amazing place to be is Phoenix Arizona. Things there are cheaper than Cali (especially housing), the scenery is stunning (Sedona, Grand Canyon, much more) and it seemed to me like the flying options were very plentiful. I think this is where I'd be if I ever had time to dedicate only to flying.

I'd recommend flying out here to anyone. GA is a much better experience and you'll appreciate the ease and cost of every aspect (Landing fees - Pah!). The license verification process wasn't too bad - I sent the application to the CAA on the 12 November, was up and flying by early January and it probably consumed a total of 3 hours of my time.

Ian

[Victorian]

There's plenty of choice in Phoenix, but the climate is far more tolerable 100 miles to the north in Prescott, Arizona where the airport has several rental operations and the Grand Canyon is less than an hours flying away.

[Maoraigh1]

The Utah Scenery, and it's Class G. Grand Junction has a Motel 6 by the airport, and C172 for $135 + tax + possible fuel surcharge, but limited availability I suspect, looking at no of aircraft at present.
(I didn't choose the Youtube adds :rolleyes:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oZiMy7Dn8iU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oZiMy7Dn8iU)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwNNrtfAS7I&feature=player_detailpage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwNNrtfAS7I&feature=player_detailpage)

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