Flight schools in the USA

[formigal]

Hello everybody!

I am about to decide to apply for a flight school in the UK (at this very moment, thinking in CTC and OAA). However I am sure that USA could be cheaper, due to more competence in there and due to dollar rate. Can you suggest me how to look for a flight school in the USA? Any suggestion? Advice?

Thank you SO MUCH

[michaelmedley]

I was in the same boat as you when it came to deciding. Its upto you £100,000 or £50,000 for the same license and training?

Try searching this forum for both "Modular VS Intergrated" and also for the each individual schools. I have chosen the USA for mine at a highly recommended school. (PM for info)
I persume your doing all the way to ATPL?

[chrisd2k]

I have faced the same decision as you back in 2009. I initially went to Oxford and was selected for the integrated course but when I looked at the finance at about £100,000 I just couldn't afford it.

I then looked at the modular options and went out to Florida and had a look around the different flying schools such as NAC, OFT etc...

Things to be aware of is that all schools quote minimums so you can compair like for like on hours as everyones requirements are different. To avoid getting caught out I'd recomment saving a 20% contingency for when you do more than minimum (which most people do) and to cover any unexpected costs like fuel surcharges etc.

Eventually I chose Naples Air Center and do not regret it one bit. I did the Career Pliot course there and had a great time, the teaching was to a good standard with British instructors and great weather. The aircraft were your traditional selection of Pipers, Cessnas etc but they also have a Cirrus SR20 so you get exposure to glass cockpits and learn both.

Once I finished I came back to the UK and converted my FAA IR to a JAA IR at CTC in Bournemouth on a DA42. This gives you further experiance of glass and upon passing made me eligable for their AQC course which puts you in their job holding pool like the guys who have gone through the integrated method but if hasnt cost an arm and leg.

At the end of the day as long as your willing to put the hard work in to get the qualification then it makes little difference going to the US for training over the UK. You get the same pieces of paper and same job options but at a lower price.

I'm now flying a Business Jet and several of the guys I trainined with are now flying for airlines such as Jet2, Ryanair, AerLingus.