Night x country time building

[pilotchute]

Hello,

I will need to get 50 hours PIC night x country for my ATP. Is it possible to get a night capable single for $100 an hour or less including fuel and taxes?

I know it's a big ask it's worth a try.

Thank you

[Check Airman]

Where in the US are you looking? Most flight school planes should be "night capable".

[pilotchute]

Hi check airman,

I was looking in the SOCAL and Arizona area. I was contacted this morning by a couple of places with IFR capable 150's and 152's. It seems an all inclusive rental for $100 an hour or less is possible. I assume if an aircraft is IFR capable it is also night capable in the USA? It was just email replies so couldn't get the chance to ask. It took a while for a reply so I may as well just call.

Cheers

[MarkerInbound]

The private pilot training in the US includes 3 hours night so every trainer is "night capable." I don't think Cessna built any 150s or 152s without nav lights and a landing light.

I was going to reply earlier, I figured the hard part would be keeping the cost under $100/hour. Five years ago I was looking for light plane to putter in to keep current between jobs. Seems all the flight schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth have junked their 150/152s for 172s, glass ones at that. About $140 an hour plus a 5 hour checkout for the Garmin toy. Finally found a school that used steam gauge 172s for $99/hour.

[mATT84DC]

hi guys , I m reading with interest this thread because I m also planning to come to US in order to build up some night time.
As far as I understand, as a holder of a JAR CPL/IR , I ll be allowed to fly night VFR with the FAA PPL based on my license.
I still have a doubt.

on my license:
-the type-rating (Let410) / IR is in course of validity
-SEP land is also valid
-but the "IR SE SP" is expired. (in fact when I renewed my SEP I didn t do any IFR test)

this means that in EU I can fly the MEP ME (let410) in IFR, now I cant fly a C172 in IFR.

the point is..can I still fly in US a SEP by nigh (night VFR) because my IR is valid (but on the turboprop rating) or I need to renew also the IR SE SEP before??
thanks

[galaxy flyer]

In the US, there is no such thing as MEIR or SEIR, you are IR or not. And, one doesn't have to be IR to fly VFR at night--it's VFR! So many silly Euro ideas.

GF

[pilotchute]

Just another question,

I know that I can get a FAA PPL issued to me by filling out a lot of paperwork and going to the local FAA office (where ever in the USA I am) and showing my Australian CPL. As no flight test is involved, just a check ride from the place hiring me the airplane for my night time building I assume I don't need a student visa or TSA clearance? I know if your undergoing any sort of flight training in the USA you have to have these two approvals. Just wanted to make sure because one school has said I need to and another one thinks I don't.

Cheers

[MarkerInbound]

Actually, you'll need a flight review. While FAA certificates never expire, you go non-current without a flight review in the last 24 months. (Some events can replace the FR but we'll keep it simple.) The regulations require that a FR be minimum of 1 hour ground school and 1 hour flying. While flying is flying, I'd plan on several hours reviewing airspace and procedures, getting weather and the required mins, etc. It's not a pass/fail event, just training.

That being said, the AOPA web site has info on TSA requirements and at present they say TSA does not get involved in a 61.75 "based on" certificate. Don't know about the visa issue but I'd say if TSA doesn't think it's training ICE shouldn't care.

[Check Airman]

pilotchute (http://www.pprune.org/members/376329-pilotchute),

Any aircraft that is certified for IFR will also be legal for night flying.

[Check Airman]

mATT84DC (http://www.pprune.org/members/308939-matt84dc)

That's tricky. Firstly, you will only get PPL privileges when you do the conversion. There's an extra step required to get the IR done.

Secondly, your FAA cert will say something to the effect that it is only valid when accompanied by your original cert, and any restrictions on that original cert will apply. If you wouldn't be legal to fly a 172 at night in your home country, you *may* not be legal to do it here. I'd email the FSDO you intend to go to, and find out just to be sure.

[Rotorhead1026]

Check Airman is on the right track, I think.

The problem with contacting a FSDO is that their answers aren't legally binding. Also, you may get a different answer depending on the inspector. There are some schools in Florida that specialize in JAR conversions; they may have some insight due to their familiarity with JAR / EASA.

Here's one:

JAA ATPL License Conversion Now offered in Fort Pierce | FAA to JAA Conversions (http://www.faatojaaconversion.com/2011/04/jaa-atpl-license-conversion-now-offered-in-fort-pierce/)

Note the conversion they deal with is for a standalone JAA license, but they certainly have dealt with the issues you have brought up.

My suspicion is that since there's no specific night proscription on your JAA ticket, you're "good to go" at night here - but that's just a guess.

Note also you'll need at least a Class III FAA medical too.

[jsfboat]

If you're interested I know someone in Daytona Beach who owns a C-172 looking for someone to pay the gas for the airplane, $30/hr or so.

[chopilot1984]

I am a helicopter pilot with over 2000 turbine/twin time IFR. I am working towards my helicopter ATP, but lack the required night and IF. I do not hold a fixed wing PPL. I plan on getting a fixed wing school in the US to night hour build with a CFI onboard. This is still comparatively expensive for 60+ hours. Are there any CFI/CFII fixed wing guys out there wanting to build time, willing to share the cost of the airplane, or maybe give free instruction if I bare costs of the plane?