Hour Building in Florida

[officer flappy]

Hi everyone, all sorted with FAA licence conversion, all sorted for flights and all sorted with destination: FLORIDA.

Anyone with any recommendations or advice on flying schools, would be very grateful.

Have been looking at Sunstate Aviation, any people been or know of it?

I know we're going to have to take the plunge at some point but am just worried we're going to turn up to some place with rust buckets!!


Thanks in advance

[yellowsubmarine]

Dean International based at Tamiami airport. Among the cheapest, plenty of planes and friendly staff.

[madlot]

I visited Sunstate a year ago for some sim time after being recommended there by some others who had rented from them. Looked good to me and I know the other guys spoke highly of the service they received - ie good kit, able to take plane for days at a time with a reasonable daily minimum hire etc.

[SinBin]

Sunstate Aviation worked for me managed 30+ hours in 6 days back in 2006 on the 172SP

[waterpau]

Voyager Aviation at Merritt Island is my recommendation.

http://www.voyageraviation.com/

[officer flappy]

thanks guys, all very useful. has anyone else found the hardest part making taht decision and just going for it? its so hard to pin one place down and just go for it!!

[officer flappy]

we're flexible, we work in the industry so we can get cheap flights to either at short notice.

Most of the flying clubs we've spoken to ask for all the money upon commencement of training, is this normal? It's one of the things that appealed to us about sunstate, they only ask for a portion and then you "top-up" when required!

[officer flappy]

Yeah we're just looking for hour building, no actual training. Most flying clubs are offering packages but some say pay everything at the time of booking (no chnace) and others ask for the full amount upon comencement of flying, and if you dont use it all up they refund at "a pro-rata" rate.

Personally i would prefer say a deposit and then pay small parts at a time say 10 hour blocks. We'll have to wait and see,........

[Nichibei Aviation]

What's the point of building hours at Sunstate?

Their hourly rates do not differ much from UK rates and are among the most expensive in the USA.

Normal average rental rates in the US are as follows:
-C150/152: 70$ per hour Sunstate:N/A
-C172: 90$ per hour Sunstate:125$
-Multi-engine: 200$ per hour Sunstate: 330$

Many people end up spending more money than they should, forgetting that they are going to the US to benefit from better rates...

And when you think about it for a second, you realise that most of your money is spent in marketing.

[officer flappy]

totally valid point and one I was considering, however it is still cheaper than the UK and we're not just going to save money, its the weather too, as an example, it took two of my friendds neartly 3 months to do 100 hours over the summer here due weather.

Much to consider!!!!

[Sensible]

I have used Sunstate several times. Always treated me fairly, no "surprisees" on the bill and the aircraft are new. I have used others and often find surprise items on the bill, antique aircraft full of "inop" stickers! Depends if you are on a budget or not, flying does come financially cheaper elsewhere but just don't expect new kit!

[madlot]

If you are nervous about committing from 3000 miles away, and that is fair enough, I know what you mean, then one other way of keeping your options right open is to get the flights and go and have a look around to help the final decision making. Depends on time available to you of course but two days given to looking around Florida might pay off, literally.

You pay for what you get and it sounds like Sunstate still have much newer equipment than the average,which I remember from what my mates told me - personally I'd pay for that when here I have to suffer the equivalent of $280 an hour for a single and sub zero temperatures half the time. Maybe that's just Biggin though.The weather that is. Well ok the price too. :ugh:

Anyone else want to share some hours building in sunny FLA ? I've got a bunch of time off to use between now and the end of March and am looking for an excuse to use it for flying not decorating or starting the distance learning !

[A and C]

By the time that you factor in all the costs involved in going to and staying in the USA the hourly rate for a two week 50 hour block will be about £73/hour.

Yes it will be fun to fly in the States but dont be fooled by the headline price.

[Nichibei Aviation]

How about this?

We're about to offer hourly rental prices starting at only 45€/34£ wet on C-150 and 65€/49£ on C-172 incl. services for FAA licence validation and shuttle service to the accommodations of the student's choice, besides our all-in packages.

Is shiny new equipment really that important?
I bet not with all the enquiries and requests we are receiving right now!

[akashis]

hi All,
I am a Private Pilot`s License holder working on my Commercial License in Canada .I am an Indian citizen with a Canadian student visa and a US Visitor Visa.I have been told by some flight schools in USA that for hour building i dont need a student visa and i can do the same on the visitor visa that i have.
Now i have passed the FAA PPL and am planning to do my hour building from New Orleans.
Does anyone here know what is the process to be done with TSB ? i checked out flightschoolcandidates.org but couldnot find anything on hour building or renting a plane
Any help or website links directing to my query would be appreciated

Thank You
Akash

[selfin]

akashis, RTFM (http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/IFR_Alien_Pilot.pdf).