Fishing around - FAA CPL/IR/CFI school

[Genghis the Engineer]

I've got EASA CPL with instrument and instructing qualifications, 200ish hrs instructing, 50ish hours IFR, 2000ish hrs.

I'm looking at the possibility, maybe this summer, of spending a period in the USA to do the FAA CPL, IR and CFI. Ideally I'd like to find a school that...

- Is somewhere with consistently good weather
- Is prepared to work with me to keep the amount of training sensible, not dropping standards, but not forcing me to fly through multiple standard hoops either.
- Actually reads and replies to their emails, and is prepared to have a meaningful discussion about syllabus, hours, order to do things, etc. etc.
- And obviously is appropriately qualified for the training visa.

Bonus for anywhere with nice aeroplanes to fly rather than a standard decrepit C172.

Can anybody recommend anywhere I should talk to. I've followed up a few contacts but nothing's jumping out to me as ideal yet.

G

[bafanguy]

GtE,

I'm too far removed from the GA flight training world to make specific recommendations but have you tried a more US-centric av forum ? I have no affilliation with this one but GA training is often discussed:

https://forums.jetcareers.com/

[ahwalk01]

+1 for jetcareers. A great forum.

I did FAA Comm, Multi, IR in Phoenix (Westwind Aviation)
Then CFI/CFII/MEI at American Flyers (FL)

A couple of suggestions to start you off

Alex

[Genghis the Engineer]

Thanks folks, I'll follow up those leads.

G

[B2N2]

Genghis,
Your IR is easy, written test and training to proficiency which will probably be 4-5 flights to get familiar with all the local approaches the examiner is likely to ask of you.
It would make sense to combine the training for the CPL and CFI, no sense in doing the same thing twice from different seats.
There is no requirement to fly the CPL checkride from the LH seat so use it as a practice run for your initial CFI. Find a school that is willing to do this and that has an instructor available that is experienced enough to make it work.
I’ve done this successfully before maybe 3-4 times.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Genghis,
Your IR is easy, written test and training to proficiency which will probably be 4-5 flights to get familiar with all the local approaches the examiner is likely to ask of you.
It would make sense to combine the training for the CPL and CFI, no sense in doing the same thing twice from different seats.
There is no requirement to fly the CPL checkride from the LH seat so use it as a practice run for your initial CFI. Find a school that is willing to do this and that has an instructor available that is experienced enough to make it work.
I’ve done this successfully before maybe 3-4 times.
This is very much what I have in mind. Are you still in the game? - if so, I'd be very happy to take a more detailed discussion offline. boffin at engineer dot com will reach me.

G

[capt.sparrow]

Crystal River Airport (Florida), home of the Mantees!. These guys are specialist in foreign pilot visa things and are excellent. They completely understand how all your EASA training counts towards the FAA courses. I completed a stand alone cpl with multi IR in 14 days (already had the EASA cpl ir)
​​​​​. Training a/c are c172 but with Garmin's, but I also flew a bonanza and duchess, they had something aerobatic I think but this was 8 yrs ago. Airport owner/club owner is the examiner also. Def recommend.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Thanks a lot Capt, I'll drop them a line.

G