windowseatplease: I beg to differ; Its not necessary MORE expensive to convert than a straight UK licence. A PPL in the UK is at the very least how much? minimum of GBP 9300? ...let's use that amount (25 dual/10 solo no groundschool):
GBP 9300 = USD 18,200
Around the corner here on the US Eastcoast you'll get an FAA PPL for the (very) minimum of USD 9,650 (20 dual/15 solo).
That gives you a few thousand bucks to play with.
(btw. in germany it cost next to nothing to convert it to a JAA PPL - just paperwork and a radio licence).
darrenphughes: What do you think my friends did at Bristow Academy (back than known as Helicopter Adventures)? they also sat in JAA groundschool for the better part of a year - but they did it in florida! So there's your pain in the arse too!
All I'm trying to say is that I've seen both sides: I had the same problem like Wardy, no vacancies - so I just did the FAA course with the intend to convert later but ended up staying here (no, I didn't marry an american
), now flying not only medium twins but also jets.
Some of my friends (most of 'em are now back in europe or anywhere else in the world) did the full blown combined course - most of 'em are now in the North Sea or offshore elsewhere.
Others went down the same path like I did, but they actually did the conversion - sure a pain in the butt, but not more difficult than the other way around. Some even said the IR was a peace of cake after they've flown IFR in the US.
Also you might want to consider the experience going someplace else in the world than your small island (just a slight pun intended
) and meet people from all over the world - I wouldn't want to miss that experience, but that's just me!
Good luck whatever you decide to do!