Been there, done that, and paid a sodding fortune for the privilege. FFF is absolutely right, there really is very little point in getting an unrestricted FAA PPL unless you are (a) planning to add ratings to it later on, or (b) don’t have time to convert your JAA licence.
If it’s reason (b) I’d strongly suggest you delay your trip until you have converted your licence. If you need convincing, here are some of the costs for getting an unrestricted FAA PPL, as of 3 months ago:
£65 M1 Visa (because you’re training for a licence / rating)
£15 FAA PPL written test prep book (essential IMHO)
$80 FAA PPL written test
$80 FAA 3rd class medical
$?? However much flight training you need to prepare for the flight test (including night hours if you don’t already have them).
$250 FAA flight test
$150 retest if you get a “discontinuation” (as I did after taking my test after 4 hours’ sleep and thinking I could handle it. I couldn’t)
An awful lot of cost, aggravation, & P/UT time, when with a bit of planning, you could turn up, convert your JAA licence, and off you go.
Oh yes, and that all assumes your FTO doesn’t get shut down by the state government 2 days before you arrive . . .
