PPL in Iowa, convert to CASA PPL

[OneSixSix]

Hello all,

I am Australian resident currently living in Iowa, America for one year. I've got next to no major living expenses other than food and car fuel. I am earning decent money from my full time job. Thinking of obtaining a PPL at Ankeny Regional Airport (http://goo.gl/maps/SrmEh) while I am here and then converting to CASA PPL when I am back in Australia.

From the CASA Form (http://casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/manuals/regulate/fcl/form213.pdf) it seems like a pretty straightforward and painless process to convert.

- I am on an E3 work visa - can I still do flight training or do I need the special M1 student visa?

- I haven't yet contacted any flying schools (I think there may only be one at the airport anyways..). The absolute minimum (http://exec1aviation.com/index.php/instruction/faq/) it can cost is close to 6,000 dollars but I should budget for closer to 8,000 - I do have lots of PPL navigation and theory of flight books at home so hopefully won't have to purchase all of the text.

- Learning to fly in summer versus winter or autumn/spring? Would one season be cheaper to get the training in? 100LL fuel price is just under 7 USD/gal (~1.85USD/L) "Full Service" (?).. seems quite expensive to normal car fuel at 3.70 (~0.98USD/L) USD gal
100LL.com (http://www.100ll.com/showfbo.php?HashID=2efb19b115d7b29adde8a104b98c20ef)

- Back home it would be awesome if I could volunteer at gliding clubs with towing and maybe even eventually learn to fly a glider.. so for the tugs a taildragger endorsement is probably a good idea?

I've always been into flying, but never had quite a chance like this to follow through with it and get it done. Are there any other things you would suggest that I look into..? I was also thinking of visiting the flight schools here to have a look at what they are like.

Thanks in advance :ok:
onesixsix

[awqward]

Go for it 166....Flying in the US is less than 50% of the cost of Australia...far better access to airports and airspace....controllers that are friendly and helpful.....far more sensible regulation....etc etc....

Unfortunately you will be spoiled for life and will be extremely dissapointed with the expense and inane ATC attitude towards GA back in Australia...for example Perth will not allow VFR transit through their Class C airspace (which is bigger than some Eurpoean countries) except via a couple of strictly enforced routes which serve no purpose other than sight-seeing of the CBD....and even then you better have filed a written flight plan unless you want to told "Standby remain OCTA" for the next 15 minutes...In the US you can transit Class B (over airports with 10 times the jet traffic) with a simple radio request...no questions asked....