California

[zhuhang1986]

Is California the best place to do flight training? Or some other area?
Thanks.

[AdamFrisch]

It's the best. Weather proof (compared to Florida), professional controllers, high workload in urban areas (so you learn a lot), or you can choose the opposite just a couple of miles away if you don't want to be bothered. Varied terrain, gorgeous scenery and more than 500 airports in California alone.

[zhuhang1986]

Thanks a lot for your help.

By the way, the weather in Florida is bad?

[Jerry Lee]

You can get bad weather in summer in Florida which would prevent you from flying. That's not going to happen everyday though.

It's up to you! IMHO Florida is for old people while California is more exciting. That's according to my very personal opinion.

[zhuhang1986]

Really need some suggestions about choosing a flight training center, which could provide I-20 for international students in California?

Thanks a lot.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I've always enjoyed flying in California or next door in Arizona, the weather is incredibly reliable, and there are some excellent schools if you are going for the standard FAA training. I wouldn't feel that you need to limit yourself to *just* CA, that whole bottom left hand corner of the USA is fairly consistent.

G

[Jerry Lee]

There is Angel City Flyers in Los Angeles and American Aviation Academy in San Diego. I will be in San Diego in August to obtain a PPL and later decide whether to continue for a full FAA course and then convert or get back immediately to Europe.

[Gomrath]

There is Angel City Flyers in Los Angeles

There is nothing to show that ACF are SEVIS approved to issue an I-20.
If they are then they would advertise the fact.

[rmartingens]

Angel City Flyers not in the sevis.
They do not issue student visa (M1)

[Captain Mainwaring]

I would like to hear the feedback from recent visitors to the American Aviation Academy in San Diego El Cajon Field. All references are old and may refer to previous management. Thanks

[jadalabada]

How recent is "recent"? :-) I got my PPL at American Aviation November 2009 and have absolutely no complaints other than the weather perhaps being a bit TOO nice, resulting in need for brush-up on flying in suboptimal VFR when I returned to Europe. Go for it! San Diego is excellent.

[B2N2]

You can get bad weather in summer in Florida which would prevent you from flying. That's not going to happen everyday though.

It's up to you! IMHO Florida is for old people while California is more exciting. That's according to my very personal opinion.

Really? And how much flight training have you actually done in Florida?
At 19, you seem to do an awful lot of advising people where to go for career flight training......:suspect:
Oh pardon me, you don't have your PPL yet:
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/478878-jaa-ppl-america.html

This is for my local area:
Naples Weather - Florida - Average Temperatures and Rainfall (http://countrystudies.us/united-states/weather/florida/naples.htm)
This is for the state:
Florida Travel Vacation Guide - Accommodations,* Attractions and Retirement info and more!. (http://www.floridatravelusa.com/wcharts.htm)

As long as you don't plan your solo cross countries at 14:00 in the Summer time you will be fine. We never, ever have any weather delays, not even during Hurricane season.
@Zhu, i've send you a PM....:ok:

[500 above]

I flew a lot from Naples in the early 1990's. Never once was I cancelled due wx - only delayed slightly.

[ihoharv]

Weather delays about as likely in California as Florida so remove that as a decision factor. Both states have a wide variety of great (and not so great) schools. As already suggested do take a look at Arizona as well.

On a logistical level Hong Kong to LAX or SFO is a single hop. So you'll save time and money right there. If you choose California plan it close to San Francisco/San Jose, Los Angeles or San Diego so as to experience complex airspace.

I can't speak to specific school recommendations but my suggestion is to figure out a location and then use the AOPA website to screen Flight Schools that can help you navigate the Visa stuff.

Good luck in your endeavors!

[AirWind]

I got my PPL over at Angel City Flyers. Great group of people there and knowledgable instructors. Planes are always maintained and have maintenance on site at KLGB. Plus, you can't beat the weather and the experience you get working in SoCal airspace. Their Facebook page does indicate they are working on getting SEViS approval.

[sevenstrokeroll]

California vs Florida...someone complained about the views of a very new pilot...well, I've flown since 1975, am an airline pilot and former CFIIMEI...

Florida Sucks! California, except for certain well known foggy locations is great...plus you get mountainous flying experience which is very valuble

good luck provided you are not a terrorist

[B2N2]

Florida sucks said the man from Illinois........:rolleyes:

good luck provided you are not a terrorist

Sevenstroketroll, you're an idiot.:yuk: