GMonkey has a very good point, do your exams before you go! I did and found it a whole lot easier, a lot of the guys were stuck in their rooms at night cramming for exams whilst I took it easy and concentrated on the flying...
Couple of things, mainly in relation to TJFs breakdown.
- Never needed 5 hours training on return! Just done the club checkout which was an hour which you would have to do on joining a club anyway.
- Never needed a car! Both the hotel and the flight school I have used run a free minibus/pickup service so unless you are going to do some major touring you wont need one - but anyway if you are then you may as well fly yourself and build those hours
- Confused as to what "Return Check Test in UK = £550" is? If this is the GFT thats notmally included in the price so you do it in the US. Retakes for partials were $250 for the PPL if remember rightly.
The other to remember is that its also one hell of an experience flying over in the US. I go back for at least one flying holiday each year though more if I can get the time off work. Only down side is their beer is cr@p so end up paying through nose for Guiness which is a half decent pint!
Julian.