Yes, but I think the point here is that
Going to the USA
Doing an FAA PPL (min 40hrs training IIRC)
Doing an FAA IR (min??, realistic 30 hrs training)
Perhaps doing an FAA CPL
Coming back to the UK
Swatting up for the JAA ATPL writtens
Doing another 15hrs flight training
Doing the JAA IR checkride
is going to cost less than missing out the U.S. element. You also end up with a damn useful license/rating if you want to fly bizjets one day (many of which are N-reg).
This is a risky thing to say openly
but I think you will end up being a much better pilot too than if you spent your money banging routes between Cranfield and Cambridge
