Cost in the US for a Seneca is around $170 / hr....and when you consider that the FAA ME rating will PROBABLY take 10 hrs then you could possibly make a saving, even after paying for flights.....I just bought a return ticket from LHR to LAX in October, on BA, via expedia for £200 plus tax.
If you go to California, I recommend a FTO, called (So BRL doesn't remove the link
) the same name as that program that was on TV when I was a kid, featuring Bungle, Zippy and George
Website is
www.{bungle, zippy, george show}air.com
I heard a shocking story from some students of a very well known FTO in the UK, who were paying over £400 per hour for a Seneca for IR training ! Value for money???
Cheers
EA