I was at Debenair for 7 weeks. Just returned to the UK LAST Friday (22nd August).
I'm assuming you're UK based yourself, but if not - forgive any redundant information whcih follows. Based at Titusville, Florida, the field, (KTIX), is called "Space Coast Regional", also known locally by the affectionate name of "TICO Field" (pronounced TYCO), from it's original military days.
Data on KTIX is available at:
Titusville / Coca Airport Authority and
KTIX
I couldn't recommend Debenair highly enough. It is a small FAA approved school, just recently achieved M1 visa status from the America INS, so they can now sponsor M1 training visas. Their website is:
Debenair
Debenair is suitable for any pilots wishing to "hourbuild" or train for their FAA PPL / CPL / ATP licences, or go for an FAA Complex, Twin or Instrument rating. Note that Debenair are NOT JAA approved, although JAA pilots wanting to hourbuild or attain FAA ratings and qualifications are not hampered by this. It just means that you cannot train for a JAA licence or rating at this school, although there are JAA approved schools nearby where you could combine some FAA training at Debenair, with JAA training elsewhere.
This is, in fact, what I did, by doing my FAA CPL at Debenair, and then doing a conversion course for the JAA CPL at Delta Academy at Sanford (which is about an hour's drive from Titusville).
To fly in the USA, (anywhere for any purpose), all foreign licence holders MUST now apply in advance to the FAA at Oklahoma to convert their licence. You will be asked to nominate an FAA FSDO (Flight Standards District Office), local to you, which you may attend (by appointment) to convert your foreign license, or have them send an FAA inspector out to the School.
The nearest one for Debenair is
Orlando FSDO
After going through the processing (which takes about 3 weeks) you will get a letter from the FAA in Oklahoma confirming the details on your JAA licence and your medical (as supplied by the CAA). You must take this letter with you to your nominated FSDO, (or show it to their FAA inspector if you chose for him to visit you at the school). The letter is valid for, (I think), about 3 months from the date of issue.
The FAA Application Form is here:
Verify
You will also need to authorise the CAA to release your licence details to the FAA: (and pay them a fee of £15.00!)
FORM SRG1160
For further information see:
http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp
...and click on the corresponding link (or scroll down) to "Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification"
Also the CAA Website:
http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/licensing/whatsnew.asp
... and scroll down to the last paragraph, "Intending to Fly in the USA".
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Anyway, back to Debenair....
It has a good fleet of well maintained planes. Several C-152s, (including at least 1 with an airways fit, and 1 with LR tanks), a C-172, 2 x Warrior PA28-161s, a Cherokee PA28-140, an Arrow PA28R-200 and a Geronimo Twin PA23-180. Most of them are getting on a bit, but far from "worn out", and all are very much flyable if you don't mind slightly tired seats. I have seen a LOT worse than these, and although you can find newer, tidier aircraft around - I guarantee you won't find anything as good value for money!
The avionics are similarly a bit old, but apart from most of the 152s, which just have 1 RT box, the rest of the fleet is airways capable - many, (to my surprise), with a modern version of Loran C which works just like an RNAV. I think there is at least 1 plane with GPS also, but never flew it myself.
Debenair have their own maintenance facility on site. There's a British, "Essex", chap called Ian, who conducts most of the maintenance and being a pilot himself, he can respond quickly, (in many cases instantly), to most of the common types of "squawks", like an oleo needs a bit of gas or something rattles. Unlike some other schools who fob you off if you're not happy with anything, Debenair will quite happily go out of their way to make things to your liking.
It is owned by a British lady called "Annette Benson", who continues to run the school since her late husband passed away last year. She is an absolute "sweetheart" and is like a 2nd "mum" to all her residential guests. She is supported by a dedicated team including "LouElla" who works the mornings on Reception - and who is equally keen to make you feel at home. The instructors are ALL very experienced, and I would like to pass my personal thanks to good ol' George Ellis and Mike Terwilliger, who got me through the FAA CPL - despite my erstwhile attempts to do exactly the opposite of what they were trying to teach me!
Debenair shares many facilities with Gateway Aviation, (which is a JAA approved Helicopter School next door). They share the maintenance hangar, Vending machines and toilets, and the Gateway Reception is where you can find the Weather Terminals and even Hire a Car.
On the subject of Car Hire - I would definately recommend you get one, because Titusville itself is a bit devoid of nightlife. After the first week, you will definately be up for something to do, and if you are there for 8 weeks, you might also want to do some sight-seeing. Also, KTIX is three miles or so from the apartment, so unless you want to rely on lifts from other people, it's a bit too much to walk / cycle every day, (unless you're really fit and don't mind the heat!)
You MIGHT get better value if you hire a car over here before you go. Costs for a Compact Car (with Gateway discounts) are $30 per day or $150 per week or $600 per month. But the real killer is the insurance which you really SHOULDN'T (but legally could) do without.
$11.99 per day (reduced to $8.00 per day for a monthly rental) for Collision Damage Waiver (insurance for damage to the rental car), PLUS $12.37 per day for Supplemental Liability Protection (What you and I call 3rd party - including 3rd party injury / medical). Then there's the Florida Surcharge (call it a rental tax) at $2.02 per day and a Licence Fee of 31c per day. This adds up to $22.70 per day, all subject to 6% sales tax.
I had the thing for 1 month, 2 weeks and 4 days (49 days worth of insurances), and clocked up over 2,000 miles - although there was no Mileage Charge. However, the total cost was $2,187.37.
So be warned, car hire is not cheap - and it's worth checking out what deals your UK travel agent might be able to get you.
Without suggesting anything in particular, I would recommend you speak to Annette about it also and see if she can suggest anything. She may know of a spare car or two.....
The accommodation is BRILLIANT value at $175 per week for a room in a comfortable apartment. The apartments are owned by Annette and are located in a small complex within walking distance of a supermarket and a few restaurants and bars. There is also a communal swimming pool for which you will have a key. It is fully furnished with lots of spare towels, and sheets, washing machine, tumble-drier, Gas Cooker and a telephone to which you can hook up your own laptop for internet access. There is a PC in the apartment for running FAA training software, but it is not internet capable. There is also cable TV in every room (but frankly there's very little worth watching). Most, (but not all), the apartments have a VCR so you can watch porn
.....I mean Flight training Videos!
Within 1/2 hour drive from Titusville are the extremely pleasant
areas of Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island, where all the nightlife is, along with the Pier, which has a Bar and good views of any Rocket Launches from the Kennedy Space Center. There are a lot of smaller airfields within easy reach for touch & gos and Merrit Island has one too! The Space Coast is a fantastic view form the air, but watch for the restricted areas.
The weather was a bit hairy for me, since I went over in July / August and it was the hottest time of year. Thunderstorms every afternoon from about 1pm, meaning any worthwhile flying had to be in the mornings, or evening / night. Things will be cooling down a bit in September, but they say the best time for good all-day weather starts in late Autumn thru Winter to early Spring.
Anyway, I hope you have a great time. I promise you, Annette will look after you well and you have made a good choice.