I dunno why more people don't go the conversion route, especially if they already have a PPL and are used to the UK airspace
There are literally massive savings to be made by training for an FAA CPL/IR and doing a conversion course in the UK ($220 / hr multi IR training as opposed to >£350 / hr in the UK) . Plus you come out with several independant licences and ratings as an added bonus....?
No doubt someone will mention that the conversion will be the problem as the FAA / JAA are so different......and I'd respond by saying that if you train for the FAA stuff right first time, then this won't be an issue. Incidentally, its no different than going somewhere "Approved" like E** and doing their IR course (their training is in US airspace after all).....but the big difference is that they don't even put you through the FAA IR skills test, as you "finish off" back in the UK...................
EA