Originally Posted by
rudestuff
A lot of people get a PPL and then go to the US to hour build. In your case you might want to consider doing it the other way around.
Weather is the biggest factor: in the UK if you only fly weekends, you might average one flyable day per weekend.
On that day you will be competing with every other student for aircraft and instructors.
*IF* you pass the written test before you go, you can book 3 weeks in Florida and (with a bit of luck) get an FAA PPL. This can be validated for UK use for £45, and it means you don't need a night rating. Then get yourself a share in a 152 (around £1500) and hour build at your leisure in the UK while you study the ATPLs. That would put you on track for a frozen ATPL for about £35,000
Once you get the £45 validation can you fly in the UK with an FAA PPL or does there need to be some form of conversion done first ?