Chewy,
Getting an impartial opinion about US FTOs is next to impossible because someone's bound to have a bad opinion - and whoever does have that opinion tends to be much more vocal.
So it's pick and mix, although I have to say I've never heard anything bad about NAC, but I've no personal experience of them - and that's as neutral as I can be. Again, concentrated bitching about one particular FTO is generally a sign that it's best to stay away from them. Do some more searches, thats my advice.
Conf
PS: Some tips gleaned from this forum:
1. If they ask for payment up front - forget it.
2. Always pay by credit card - it's more reliable and there's a paper trail in case the FTO goes belly up.
3. Be realistic about expenses - getting through in 45 hours is not that usual. Also budget for extra accomodation, Florida state taxes, transport (a pushbike is good), books, flight test, area charts... the list goes on.
4. Keep in mind the aircraft - is your course going to be done in a 152 that lets you feel every single knot of wind and thermals?
5. Getting a PPL in 3/4 weeks is VERY hard work - there's very little time for sightseeing or hitting the beach.
6. Get the exams done BEFORE you leave the UK, or at least have all the study done so that taking the exams is the easy bit.
Last edited by Confabulous; 9th May 2005 at 22:12.