Ground Exam Advice

[FLYING COUNSEL]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm planning to go over to NAC in Florida next summer to get a PPL. (ok, ok calm down- I have Used to search button!)

Having used aforementioned search button, I have noticed a trend, time and time again in various postings people keep recommending that, one should knock off as many of the Ground exams before one goes over.

Now the thing is, I'm based in Dublin, so as I understand it, I won't be able to sit the IAA exams here. Therefore, I will need to sit the CAA exams somewhere in the UK. Can anyone advise me on somewhere, that they would reccommend I could do this; the likelihood of passing all the exams pre departure; the usual study time required to pass them; et cetera, et cetera..

Please Please respond (or PM me) with any info, advice, criticism, fettishes, utterings, all of your problems, or anything else at all whether useful or not, i don't really mind.

[LondonJ]

In terms of places I assume that a few flight schools in the UK wouldn't mind you sitting there, ring around.

For the most part it is not too much of a stretch to do 1 exam a week. There is more to learn for say the Technical than the human factors exam but none of the material is especially challenging.

If you apply yourself there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't pass all the exams pre-departure. I thorougly recommend the Pratt series of books (there are 5 of them but only 2 - 5 are for the exams) and get a PPL confuser.

[Maxflyer]

There are actually seven Trevor Thom books but you won't need to study book five. Also the PPL confuser is worth working through.

[FLYING COUNSEL]

Thanks for advice guys. Has anyone else been in similar position and could relate their experience/advice. Or can anybody know of/ or recommend a flying club where I could sit the ground exams before I head over to NAC.

[Yorks.ppl]

If your in dublin, you can get a cheap flight direct into leeds bradford, walk round to Multiflight and take your exams there.
there are hotels etc close by and Multiflight are generally helpfull.

Trevor Thom/confuser worked for me.

Good luck

[nigelisom]

EUJet fly from Manston to Dublin and back twice daily (check the web site www.eujet.com and book flights by tomorrow night for rediculously cheap fare) and TG Aviation are based on Manston field (about 150 yards from the terminal door) give them a ring on +44 1843 823656 and I am sure they will help you out with your exams. They can also arrange the RT aural test if you wish.
Best of luck for your ppl.

[Whirlygig]

I was in a similar situation and did some of my exams beforehand with Fast Helicopters in Thruxton (being local to me). They were most obliging.

If you know someone in the UK with whom you can stay, then approach their nearest flight school and have a chat.

Be aware, that this is not that common a scenario and some places might think it an odd request.

There was one very well-known flight school even nearer to me than Thruxton who told me I had to sit all my PPL exams with the same school where I was going to learn to fly. If anyone says that to you, it's a crock of horse-sh1te!

Cheers

Whirlygig

[Divergent Phugoid!]

Theres a guy called Andy Reay from Barton Manchester who is Excellent.... 01706 281512

And Linda True at Gamston Notts is also excellent... +447798 801080

Wont take you as long as some of the posts here suggest. If you read the book before attending the day of the course there is no reason why you cant pass the exam in the same day!!

Good luck!!

PM me if you want further details... Might be able to do you b+b if you go to Gamston!

[Microheavy]

What I don't get is that if it's a JAA PPL you're going for in Florida then how come the Irish IAA/JAA exams won't suffice ?

[Mariner9]

Generally it's good advice to do your exams before you go, but it seems to me that a reasonable alternative for someone in your position would be to study before you go to a suitable standard, then sit all exams in the 1st few days in Florida.

(You'll know when you're at a suitable standard if you can answer all questions in the Confuser)

The money you'll save for the writtens/flights to the UK etc would better be used in an hour or so's dual training in Ireland covering differences in airspace/procedures/RT etc on your return.

Good luck which ever route you take :ok:

[Whirlygig]

If you read the book before attending the day of the course there is no reason why you cant pass the exam in the same day!!
There is no "PPL course", this is simply for the chap to sit the exams. It really is not going to do anyone any favours if you are really suggesting that simply reading Trevor Thom is sufficient to pass the PPL exams. Some can and maybe you did (and I did for a couple of subjects) but it's not fair to imply that that is all that is required.

Cheers

Whirlygig

[FLYING COUNSEL]

I really appreciate all the help guys,

Some very interesting things to ponder over. Maybe Mariner9 is right and I should just sit the exams in the first few days over there, saving money is always good.. Whichever way i do appreciate the help and the comments.

[Send Clowns]

I'm sure they could be arranged here at Bournemouth, we have a direct Ryanair flight from Dublin. PM me if I can be of any help.

[eire_boy]

What I don't get is that if it's a JAA PPL you're going for in Florida then how come the Irish IAA/JAA exams won't suffice ?

Microheavy - the Irish IAA PPL exams are only valid for an IAA PPL licence. The JAR PPL schools in Florida are usually carrying out training under the CAA so the PPL exams required are the CAA...so much for JAA;)