Originally Posted by
StingrayCH
Hello all,
After having an excellent flight into Gruyères as co-pilot this past weekend,
Passenger, but if you were allowed to handle the controls, I'm sure that was enjoyable.
I'm now thinking seriously about getting my PPL.
Good on you.
I've decided that I definitely want to do it in Florida and have already chosen my school. I just am wondering on the licensing questions.
I did some training in FL a few years back, fun flying, and if you get a good school, I'm sure you'll enjoy that.
To explain, I am a US citizen with Swiss residence, and plan on staying here, so I believe I fall into the JAR/EASA category in terms of what license I need.
Correct. For most purposes, JAA is no more and it's now EASA but it's easiest just at the moment to think of the two as interchangeable.
As far as I know, there's no visa requirement/TSA clearance required for me to train in FL (right?).
As a US Citizen that would be my understanding also.
But what I do have questions on:
1. I see you can get an FAA PPL and then convert to an EASA license when you have 100 hours and Swiss air law etc. That sounds good, but to get the FAA PPL, that would mean when I come back to CH after having done my requisite 40-60 hours, I still have to do another 40-60 (total 100) hours on an N-registered a/c in Switzerland, right? Or can I fly a Swiss-reg plane on an FAA PPL?
You'll have to check locally, but certainly here in Britain you could fly on an FAA PPL, and in the USA a JAA/EASA PPL holder can easily obtain a derivative FAA PPL, so I doubt you'll have any trouble, but generally regulations vary a bit from country to country.
JAA is the old organisation, which is now superceded by EASA. So far as I know, you can no longer get a JAA licence and need to get an EASA licence.
The reason I ask is because self-study, and doing theory exams either in USA or CH before I go for practical in USA would be VERY attractive to me. Any guidance?
That is a very good idea, but a workaround is probably to do all the study, go and do an FAA PPL, and then convert in a year or two once you have your hours. Alternately, just do the PPL at home anyhow - don't anticipate much real saving doing it in the USA, because flying in Europe / Switzerland will be substantially different and you'll have to spend a fair bit of quality time with an instructor once you're back.
3. Re self-study, if it is possible, then where do I get the books/materials? Which ones are best? I've heard there are good iPad apps around. Suggestions?
Various combinations, but the favourites are generally a set by Trevor Thom or an alternative set by Jeremy Pratt (which personally I slightly prefer) for the JAR/EASA licences. If you're doing an FAA licence however, ask your school there what they'd recommend.
G