FAA Training

[dom175b]

I am due in January to go to Tradewinds flying school in Florida, Orlando - has anybody been there? Is it any good?

I am due to go for 5 weeks and am apprehensive? Has anyone got any advice...

When choosing a school I looked for a small family unit with a good reputation ( Tradewinds is the oldest school in Orlando), well maintained aircraft, good price and nice accomodation with helpful staff.

They seem to be all of this, coupled with the amzing exchange rate, it all seems great!

I am finding there is so much information to take in! How do people do this in 3 weeks!!! I have been studing ground-school from Glaim and King for 8 weeks solidly before I go in January 08.

Cheers

[julian_storey]

No experience of the school you've mentioned but you've done the right thing in researching it thoroughly. There are some great flight schools in the US but also some sharks. I got stiffed by one in California a couple of years ago when I went to do an FAA CPL. I subsequently found a brilliant one in Arizona.

The trick with the FAA writtens is to learn the answers to the questions like a parrot. Download software from www.checkride.com. It costs about $20 to unlock the full question bank. You basically keep doing the practice tests until you get at least 90% EVERY SINGLE TIME. Don't even think about sitting the exam until you DO get 90% every time. Once you do sit the test having done this - it is almost impossible to fail it.

People often talk lots of nonsense about the FAA PPL. They'll tell you that it's easy / inadequate etc. Most of the people who say this stuff have no idea what they're talking about.

The facts are that the ONE written FAA private exam is undoubtedly MUCH easier than the JAR exams. The FAA private check ride though (which includes an in depth oral examination) is more demanding than the JAR PPL skills test and in my view requires you to demonstrate greater mastery of the aircraft.

If you are planning on flying in the UK when you get back here, it is essential that you get some decent training. Although you should be more than capable of flying an aeroplane when you get home, the airpace works quite differently over here and the RT is quite a bit different too.

You should have a GREAT time! Enjoy yourself! :D

[Hufty]

Just make sure you have a great time! Private flying in the US is so much better than the UK (IMHO) so take time to visit other airfields if you can and go for a long trip if you have time - great confidence builder. It may take longer than planned - weather can get in the way even in Florida - but you will probably have enough time provided your school is well organised.

Have fun!!

[Flyin'Dutch']

Can they issue you the stuff for your Visa?

[dom175b]

Tell me do you need a visa?

As I have had my finger prints done in Farnborough, all TSA information done and approved in the US and medical done and passed at Gatwick...

But everyone is a little sketchy on the visa situation, cannot find information on the USA Gov website either!

[Justiciar]

dom17b

Put us out of our misery and tell us you are joking :{

Yes you bl**dy well do need a visa and unless I am very much mistaken you need to attend for an interview at the US embassy. Suggest you contact the school (who have to issue a letter confirming you being booked on a course) and the embassy. Time is against you.

[IO540]

I've sent the chap a PM with detailed instructions on TSA/Visa.

[On the Spot]

It is much cheaper to have your dabs taken in the us. the best places are generally the tsa offices at the airports. there are then no extra fees and most i believe transmit them electronically for approval which is quick. in my case two days. So yiu have that long to get over the jet lag before your training starts.

[BackPacker]

Dom175, you did read the sticky I wrote, didn't you? It's one of the first threads within Private Flying. Also, yes, you definitely do need a visa. Details here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

Only if your study is less than 18 hours a week (hardly likely when doing an intensive flight training course, unless you only count the actual hours in the air) then you might not need a visa.

It is much cheaper to have your dabs taken in the us. the best places are generally the tsa offices at the airports. there are then no extra fees and most i believe transmit them electronically for approval which is quick. in my case two days. So yiu have that long to get over the jet lag before your training starts.

On The Spot, I've never heard of this but this is very good news. Do you have any more information, references etc? If so, can you add that information to the sticky thread about JAA PPL in the US, please?

[VR-HHE]

Hi
Given the interest on the forum about flight training in the US I thought that I would post given that I have just returned from completing an accelerated FAA PPL course. I chose Sunstate Aviation at Kissimmee Airport (KISM), Florida, based mainly on the fact that they were an approved Cessna Training school and had young and modern aircraft. I gave them 26 working days to get me through the course and they managed it, with the FAA check ride successfully taken the day prior to heading back to Europe. I would recommend this school to anyone who is able to knuckle down and complete the ground study required. The training is completely centered around the Cessna syllabus and comprises of numerous short DVDs followed by flights covering the same material, and other lessons previously learnt. At first I was rather dissillusioned with the course as it was so regimented in its structure but after 10 days I realised that it was covering all of the subjects at a very rapid pace. The training is good and all areas are re-enforced my completing exercises in the air again and again until you can do engine failure checklists naturally and without hesitation. Sometimes I would fly three times a day (2 day flights and a night flight) and with the ground study it made for long but enjoyable days. The Aircraft, Garmin 1000 equipped C-172s, were young (2-3 years old) and in good condition. Defects were fixed quickly and aircraft swaps, if requried, were easily arranged. They are probably not the cheapest place in town but if you are able to give them the time then they will get you through the course. In 26 days I flew 42 hours and made over 90 landings, despite the vagaries of the Florida weather in summer. I am an experienced glider pilot with over 350 hours which probably helped me during the course but if you have the right attitude it is possible to get the whole thing done in a month. I took my family with me but they did not see that much of me as I had one day off every 6 days. There is though plenty for the family to do in the area given the proximity of Disneyworld and accommodation at resorts (we rented a house with pool) is not expensive. If you are travelling solo then there are plently of inns along Vine Street and Sun State are able to arrange a good corporate rate for you. I hope to go back soon and rent a Cessna for a few days en-route to a conference. Good school with solid and knowledgeable instructors - thoroughly recommended.