Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Non-Airline Forums > Private Flying
Reload this Page >

Which Florida school for FAA licence?

Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

Which Florida school for FAA licence?

Old 26th Dec 2012, 13:17
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, England
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Which Florida school for FAA licence?

My situation: I have a JAA PPL licence and about 500 hours total time, but have not flown for just under 3 years as I've been living abroad where there is little or no private flying. I also have a FAA Part 61.75 license with an FAA instrument rating, but obviously my BFR has expired.

I have some time available this spring which I would like to use to go to the US, do some refresher training to get current, and I thought I might as well use the opportunity to get a freestanding FAA Private license so my current one won't invalidate when my JAA licence becomes EASA. I will have about a week spare in the US, which I think should be plenty of time as long as I have access to aircraft and instructor.

So - I'm looking for a suitable flying school to use. It doesn't have to be Florida, although Florida is convenient to get to and the weather is reliable. I've done a whole lot of internet research here and elsewhere but much of the information seems out of date so I wonder if anyone has some recent experience or view they can share, either public or private. Obviously, as I will need a visa the school will need to be SEVIS approved to issue the paperwork. Cost is not the overriding factor - I would rather have good quality instruction, modern and well maintained aircraft and good aircraft availability than rock bottom price. If the school is JAA approved this is useful as I can also get my JAA licence current but that is not essential.

I'm fully aware of the M1 visa and TSA requirements, and also that I need to get FAA and JAA medicals sorted before I can fly, and that it makes sense to get the written out of the way before I go...

Thanks, Phil
PhilD is offline  
Old 26th Dec 2012, 13:45
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Brighton UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Silver Express Miami

Hello,

this is my first post on this forum so here it goes:

I've just come back from doing my FAA PPL in Miami (out of KTMB).

I used a company called Silver express based at KTMB. They are using some fairly old warrior aircraft and a newer 172. I choose them because it is an owner run business and didn't appear to be that much of a pilot factory.

As with everything, a few things that weren't that great but on balance i would recommend them. Instructors worked early mornings and late nights to get me through the check ride.

I used an ipad app called aviation knowledge to get me through the written - seemed to work well would recommend that for the £6 it cost.

Costs were good $102 p/h wet for at warrior and i think $112 p/h for the 172. I'm now considering going further (instrument etc) and would go back.

I got the TSA bit done before traveling - a lady in oxford did the finger prints, this saved some time and i also used a man called Dr Ian Perry for the FAA medical he's based near Middlewalop, i would absolutely recommend him as i had a difficult medical (i didn't bother with the CAA medical as preexisting conditions made it to much of a challenge).

hope that is of some use.
Hole is offline  
Old 26th Dec 2012, 13:58
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Euroland
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was very happy with Skystead.com + KAPF is a nice place to be
VORTIME is offline  
Old 26th Dec 2012, 16:15
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Chandler Air Service in Arizona... BA fly direct from LHR most (if not all) days. They are SEVIS approved, frequently deal with foreigners etc and the scenery/weather beats Florida hands-down. They offer quality instruction in a variety of aircraft.

So go there = problem solved.

I can also recommend a FAA/EASA AME at Staverton airport who is very reasonably priced and will do both medicals in the same visit.

Should you want a Flight Review or IPC done here in the UK (in Northern England) by a FAA CFI/II in a C150/C172 at reasonable rates, PM me.

Regards,
Spr K. RE retd.
sapperkenno is offline  
Old 26th Dec 2012, 16:21
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I used Tailwheels at Winter Haven (now at Lakeland). Very much geared up to get what you want done in the minimum time.
this is my username is offline  
Old 26th Dec 2012, 22:15
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
Posts: 6,207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Get awy from FLA

Try looking away from the usual suspects like FLA or CAL as these people see all the Europeans coming over and the prices tend to firm up as they find out what flying costs in Europe.

I got a very good deal near Detroit, the area west of Detroit Metro has a few small airports were the costs are very much based on what the locals expect to pay........ Not what the europan tourists are happy to pay.
A and C is offline  
Old 28th Dec 2012, 03:27
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Arizona... BA fly direct from LHR most (if not all) days. ... and the scenery/weather beats Florida hands-down
Wouldn't the summer heat kill most Brits and Northern Europeans? Really!
JimNtexas is offline  
Old 5th Jan 2013, 10:35
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Here
Posts: 1,874
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Fly Air Orlando - same price wherever you come from, no false promises, efficient, professional, friendly...

Fly safe, Sam.$
Sam Rutherford is offline  
Old 5th Jan 2013, 13:00
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: WW
Age: 49
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Aviator

Aviator in forth pierce. Check it out.
sascha410 is offline  
Old 12th Jan 2013, 05:54
  #10 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, England
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the suggestions. I have gone for Skystead at Naples, partly as they have G1000 equipped Diamonds so I can get some time with glass cockpits and also on advice from a friend. I'm booked up for early March and just going through the I-20 / TSA / visa bureaucracy. Appointment at the Embassy set for next Wednesday....

Phil
PhilD is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.