All valid points here, and I an see why it would be a personal choice like taking an IR before a CPL really
I'm just looking at the figures of taking time off work / flights to US / chance of completing in 21 days / Visa grief / making the CPL/IR harder adjusting to UK airspace etc
V Paying the higher prices of completing a PPL in the UK at £7k as opposed to £5K
Jock I've been doing a lot of planning and research and I agree with a visit to Gatwick, I'll be doing it before my PPL which I hope to start this summer. But I like to have my targets and budget set out before taking any steps.
I read 5 pages of my ATPL book 5 times a week before going to bed too, I figure if I read 25 pages a week I'd have finished the book in 3 months and have a good understanding of what I am getting myself into. If in Feb/March I feel I can do 14 exams of what I have read about and I can pass the class 1 medical then I'll spend my hard earned cash getting my PPL.
By which time I'll have the cash for my ATPL exams and some hour building sessions.