Hi all. I chose the USA for all the reasons you state it can't be done - weather, cost, etc.
Managed to get my FAA PPL (H) in just over 3 weeks in California, BUT...
I had done a lot of studying prior to leaving the UK for the written exam and you need to fly a lot of hours per day to do it. I took the checkride, (and passed) on the Saturday morning and flew home Saturday afternoon.
It took a lot of work on my part and my instructors. I ve never looked back - my bank manager has - several times sincce I got hooked.....
