Hi honey I'm home! - 3 Wk PPL Completed.

[Blindside]

Well, I’ve completed the first rung on the ladder – the PPL.

I chose to spend my money at Britannia Flight Centre in Winter Haven, Florida. The course lasted 3 weeks, was completed in a Warrior PA-28, and was an absolute scream.

The atmosphere at the club is extremely friendly and relaxed, however should you require anything the staff cannot do enough. There are no dress requirements, which is incredibly important in daily temperatures of 30 +. There were some poor (but rich) unfortunates who were at a school at a nearby airport who were required to wear shirt and tie, I’d have melted.

The accommodation is similar to up-market student digs, it has got a pool, air con, etc. It’s adequate but I was hardly in it. Everybody eats out, as it’s easier and fairly cheap. The school gives the students a car with free gas to use, which makes getting around easy.

The planes are fairly basic, but are being modernized. I understand that this is a legacy of the schools previous owner failing to reinvest prior to selling the business. The new owners (both instructors) are actively rectifying this.

It’s vital to do some study before you go out there. It’s possible to study, take the exams and learn to fly in 3 weeks but it isn’t ideal. You can find yourself studying to pass the exams rather than studying to learn the information, which is hardly the point. You can feel that you are operating on the edge of your knowledge, which can be unnerving. If you are going to use up the majority of your annual leave in one hit, you need to be able to relax, so do yourself a favour and read the books before you go.

The flying was fantastic, with loads of variety, flying over Miami at night was special. My instructor was excellent, and I heard good things about the others. I also completed my night rating whilst there.

Students are able to pay in installments, thereby minimizing risk. If the school is not for you, you can leave as you haven’t paid everything up front. There was no pressure to pay the money, I paid in three installments and each time it was me who initiated the conversation to save me from carrying the travellers cheques around.

If I knew then what I know now, would I go to Britannia? – absolutely, I cannot fault the place.

If anybody wants any more info, feel free to email me.

Very best regards

An absolutely delighted Blindside (Captain)

ps Thanks to all of you who gave me advice etc.

[ 09 July 2001: Message edited by: Blindside ]

[Superpilot]

Congrats - did you catch the love bugs? (literally) ;)

The atmosphere sure is unbeatable, Who was your instructor? (email me, if you want)

[Blindside]

catch the what??

My instructor was a Dutch fella called Kees.

A top place.

[Delta Wun-Wun]

Well Done Mate,Congratulations. :D :D :D :D :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Superpilot]

These flamin' pesky things:

http://www.floridaenvironment.com/images/Lovebugs%20Texas%20A&M.jpg

http://www.theslant.com/scene/articles/bugged3.gif

they hit you in the face from everywhere...no? (probably to early in the year then)

[Blindside]

DWW cheers

No problem with bugs, yanks without radios? that's a different story!

regards

[spikyt]

that sounds like the perfect way to do it!
how much did it coast you in total if you don't mind me asking?

thanx in advance! :rolleyes:

[kebabman]

Congrats on completing that course....I am due to do my JAA/CAA PPL at ormond beach, florida, in august, and was wondering if the course you did is JAA/CAA. If so, then it sounds like a possibility for me to change my mind at the last minute.... sorry to ask again, i know others' have, but how much in total did it cost for the three weeks? Thanks for any potential comments...! Paul, kebabman :confused:

[Blindside]

The cost breakdown was as follows:

JAR PPL in PA-28 warrior $4470
Single accommodation surcharge of $75 per week.
RT practical exam $150

The total $4845.

Plus I did my night rating, I had already done 3 hours of messing around in the UK which they put towards my licence. I completed 47hrs over there.

Including the night rating the total was $4995.

You can get the PPL cheaper if you do it in a C150. However if you are bigger than average, or you enjoy comfort or you can afford it I'd recommend the Warrior. Plus it looks like a real plane!

I'm sure there are cheaper deals around, there are certainly more expensive deals. All I would say is that I would not hesitate going back.

Hope this helps you with your decision.

best regards

[ 09 July 2001: Message edited by: Blindside ]

[martinf]

Allright Blindside

Glad it went so well - obviously the Seminars went well and gave you some good advice!! Did the wife appreciate your return??

Did you find the flying hard to pick up in three weeks and how many hours a day?

good luck with the flying in the UK!!
martinf :cool:

[mad_jock]

When you say free car, is that death trap toyota still on the road?

It took more effort and airmanship trying to drive that thing home than it did doing the VOR approach under the hood from Lakeland.

I didn't do my PPL with them but did hour build and will be back again.

What conditions are the planes in? ie are all the transponders working yet.

MJ

[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: mad_jock ]

[Blindside]

The red Toyota is going strong, ish. It is the worst car I've ever driven. The other car is a Ford Taurus estate with the dodgiest steering you've ever seen. Neither car has working aircon, but when it's free you can't grumble too much. It's dead handy for going out to dinner in.

The planes are a little tired but any problems are rectified asap. As I said earlier, this situation is being sorted.
There were a few hour builders out there, now and again there would be a problem but everybody seemed happy.

The general state of the aircraft is an issue but it is only a part of the equation, isn't it??

Martinf - I go away for 3 weeks and PPrune has a facelift and people are changing their names, what's going on??

Don't worry about the wife - I use my personality as a contraceptive!

Best regards :p

[mad_jock]

Don't get me wrong but the transponder issue is important for hour building. Last time i was over they crapped out after 1hr or so which usually put me in the middle of the class C zone. 5 days in a row and 2 planes i got the same controller 4 times and got told i would be given a telephone number next time it craped out.
And you you are not really learning much if you don't book in when flying south.

I like the place, alot more relaxed than other places in the daytona local (which is where i did my PPL). And i will be back there before xmas.

MJ

[martinf]

That's funny blindside cos that's what some women have said to me in the past!!!!

More news to shock and amuse - I am off to sunny spain - viva espana to do my integrated!!!!! Well looking forward to it - will get my head down and work my butt off!!
:cool:

[G SXTY]

Nice one Blindside! Glad it went well for you. What with you doing a high speed PPL & Mr. Potato off to Jerez, I'm starting to feel a bit left behind. :(

Is it OK if I tap you two for some jumpseat rides in a couple of years? :D

[HomerSimpson]

Congratulations Blindside,

I guess the seminars were the first step on the ladder, now the PPL in record time. What next?

Good luck

Homer :D

[BEagle]

Much as I've criticised the standard of most of the ex-USA 'trained' pilots I've come across, there are clearly some exceptions! And it only takes weeks of the god-awful British weather such as we're suffering right now to understand why the US option is so popular.

kebabman - I would suggest you read up on the various feedback reports on this site before deciding which school to attend. Particularly the 'warts and all' reports such as this one; other school owners threaten all sorts of legal action if you criticise them.

There is one school which, allegedly, is trying to recover the cost of a damaged aircraft directly from the student involved. Don't they have insurance....??

[martinf]

G-SXTY - don't feel left behind - come out and visit!! And I am sure that it might well be me begging a jumpseat off you in years to come!!

[Blindside]

Potato Head, have you been robbing banks whilst I've been away?? Congratulations mate.

As I've enjoyed myself so much over the last few weeks it's time delete my social life - I'm now evaluating the relative merits of Oxford and Bristol for ATPL distance learning. I'll choose within the next 2 weeks.

Onwards and upwards!

Very best regards

[martinf]

Well Blindside me old matey - having watched Lock, Stock and two smoking barrels etc.. I made a visit to the warehouses at Heathrow and acquired a large quanity of cigarettes et al (anyone read lloyds Casualty Week?) and have sold them on for a fantastic profit.

Of course this does now mean I'm in hiding from Big Al who wants to see me for a quiet chat!! :eek:

No - seriously - good or bad fortune has left me in a position to do the course and I am raring to go.

Good luck on the Distance Learning front. Have heard that Bristol is excellent and they specialise so maybe worth doing that one!!

[Sensible]

BEagle, collecting cash from the renter is nothing new. Ive heard all sorts of third hand stories including one from an instructor who tells me that a student was required to cough up $600 for damaging the wingtip of a Warrior whilst parking it on the ramp (with an instructor on board as well. Apparently the instructor received a rollocking - instructors don't have any money anyway). I always take out renters insurance at great extra cost. Hopefully, it will protect my assets in the event of a mishap. Yes, the plastic cover on the end of a wing that contains the strobe is a pricey piece of kit as are other aviaton spares!

[BEagle]

Yes - I know! About £40 plus VAT and fitting - I've had to replace ones that my customers have broken several times, but I've never passed the cost on.

Mad Jock - I couldn't possibly comment AT the contents of that e-mail. Hope you've e-mailed one of his potential customers as well!

[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]

[Blindside]

At Britannia you are given a form to sign before you can fly, one of the stipulations is agreement to a $1000 excess.

When I've taken a courtesy car from BMW or Audi they normally have a £250 excess for their insurance, so I felt that this was acceptable.

cheers

[mad_jock]

Beagle have done with email.

Sorry for presuming, there is all sorts of amusing stuff about, which is even better than i sent you. Bogging in a jet then taking off again without an engineering inspection (That one was on TV)

Very famous chap, if you are speaking to aviation house ask about him. Even the girl at the front desk who fleeses the money off you goes white when you mention the name.

MJ