However the schools set out these rules for 3 reasons, they want as much money as possible in the shortest possible time, they do not care if the flying is beneficial for the pilot, and they will get their money regardless if you complete the 50 hours in the period given by them.
Not all of them TMJ, there are plenty schools out there that do NOT require you to fly the hours in a specific number of days. Or in a specific time frame (before 9AM after 6PM) either.
You are absolutely free (within reason) to choose the days/times that you wish to fly. Our only veto would be weather in combination with the destination or if we need an airplane for a check ride.
Just don't book an airplane for the day from 8AM and show up at 11 to fly for 2 hrs. If you want to fly for 2 hrs book the airplane accordingly.
Why do I even mention this?
We have had plenty of hour builders that had the impression they own the aircraft and demand to fly whenever they feel like it regardless of our scheduling needs. We can be very flexible or very strict, it's your attitude that determines which one it will be.
Keep in mind we also have a responsibility to protect somebody from themselves if they are overstepping their boundaries
opinion was of $1900 for flight review
As stated elsewhere, it's not just the flight review; it's transition training for a different airplane, different avionics and different airspace in a different country in which you have never flown.
But enough of that already.
There are plenty schools out there that will bend over backwards to help you achieve your goals. Any instructor worth their salt will help you in suggesting routes to fly and destinations. In a sensible way so that you build up your experience by slowly going further and higher in busier airspace.
The building block theory if you will.
We recently had a time builder who (after following our recommendations) at the end of his two week stay had flown three 600+ miles cross countries.
Any of which he could use for his CPL QXC
As far as value of experience is concerned;
The UK half mil chart is a complete nightmare as far as restrictions and airspaces are concerned (yes, I do have a UK chart)
So no discussion that there a differences in flying in the UK or the USA.
First time I saw a US sectional chart I thought it was an IFR chart, so little airspace did it show.
But in the US you can get experiences that you simply can not get in NW Europe as far as large airports, different airspace and general freedom of flight is concerned. You can fly at altitudes at which you can never dream of flying in NW Europe.
Even if it is the same cost it is still different experience which will make you a better pilot if you go about it the right way.
There was a thread on Private Flying a little while ago about taking a PA28 to 12000' or so and the preparations required to do it.
We can do that every day of the week without restrictions.
We have a portable oxygen bottle that you can rent after you have received (once again) instruction on how to use it.
What you can do and how to go about it is just vastly different in the US then Europe.
I can absolutely understand you reservations and you frustrations and a pilot/student/renter, we've all been there at some point.
Just try and not reach the frustration level that you're no longer willing to take advise or recommendations from people who have been there, done that or are still there.
In the end you are the one that needs to decide what's best for you and your career planning. We can't do that for you and we can't read your mind either. Whatever you decide, good luck with it...
