Cost of learning to fly in USA??

[rob747]

Hi all.

I was just wondering the cost average of gaining a full commercial licence in the USA??? I would be looking around Florida and would appreciate any advice or idea's.

Does anyone have any recommended flying schools??

Any what do you the the future looks like for pilots??

Cheers

[Manflex55]

From ab initio to ME CPL-IR with 250TT, U're looking at about $30k. Avoid big facilities like FlightSafety, PanAm, etc, look for a friendly, family-owned school : that's where U get the best deals & above all the best a/cs.

MF

[EGDR]

Don't know about the small schools being the best. Like most things you only get what you pay for. Small schools never have the best a/c usually it's the other way around.

I would recommend FIT at Melbourne.

[TRANQUILLO]

You are looking to about 30K but be careful with the school that you choose.Never give too much money up front !!!!
If you buy a package and you do not finish it they will never give you the money back(it's usually in the contract),so when you plane how long is going to take you add some time on (about 15%) so that you will finish for sure!!!
When you buy a package you are paying the minimum hours required by the low but you will never finish with that amount of hours unless you are a very very good and lucky pilot so you should add about a 20% more on the hours which they will make you pay extra at full price!!!!(AS IT HAS APPENED TO ME!!!!)
For example for the PPL the law asks for 45 hours total (25 of which minimum instruction) but you will need more instruction I repeat unless you are spot on!!
all the extra time is paid at about $100 hour in the states!
When you choose the FTO make sure that they can give you an R/T certificate as well as a licence otherwise you have to sort this out in england when you come back.
I did part of my training at IFTA and I did finish it in England.(PPL)
I will never go back to the States for training as the training that I received in England is ABSOLUTELY SUPERIOR on my opinion!!! (and the radio is different)
this is all from my experience .Sorry for my english but it's not my first language...I hope I can help you with your choice.

[Facts Not Fiction Pls]

Edgr ;)

I am glad that you had a good experience with Melbourne, however a friend of mine (who I met whilst training in the US) actually made a point of flying elsewhere, and he was actually studying at this University!!! I know there was a reason but can't remember it off hand now :(

I think it was 28K for all my training, of course then you have to come back to JAA writtens for the conversion!

[ 22 August 2001: Message edited by: Facts Not Fiction Pls ]

[adouglas]

FNFP,
Have you managed to find out how much it will cost and how long it will take to do the conversion - I am looking to go to Aus. to my CPL but don't want to commit until I find out the above. Have you had any joy?
Regards
Me

[upfront]

What would the cost be at a JAA school in the USA and in the UK in US $$$$