Do PPL exams in UK, then the flying in US?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Ireland
Do PPL exams in UK, then the flying in US?
I'm planning on going to NAC in April to complete my PPL. Like everyone, I'd like to get it completed with minimal fuss.
The thoughts of going over and trying to cram in the study, the exams and the flying feels like it'll take away from the overall experience - as in being in a different country, in a nice place and enjoying the flyin bit!
Is it possible to sit the PPL exams within the CAA jurisdiction (Northern Ireland or the UK) and then go over to NAC and do the hours and flight test, return and apply for my CAA PPL? The idea of getting the studying and exams out of the way first and going over and spending 3-4 weeks and exclusively do the flying is MUCH more appealing!
Any advice offered is much appreciated!
The thoughts of going over and trying to cram in the study, the exams and the flying feels like it'll take away from the overall experience - as in being in a different country, in a nice place and enjoying the flyin bit!
Is it possible to sit the PPL exams within the CAA jurisdiction (Northern Ireland or the UK) and then go over to NAC and do the hours and flight test, return and apply for my CAA PPL? The idea of getting the studying and exams out of the way first and going over and spending 3-4 weeks and exclusively do the flying is MUCH more appealing!
Any advice offered is much appreciated!
Flies for fun
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Wishing it was somewhere sunny!
Nothing wrong with getting the exams out of the way first, lets you enjoy the flying and helps keep the stress down. Certainly it's best to do all of the study work before going out otherwise you may well go on overload. I speak with personal experience here! I would choose and you may wish to take the exams in Florida because it is cheaper and more convenient. UK flight schools are unlikely to be at all helpful if you are doing the flying somewhere else!
Have fun and take sunscreen, preferably a spray on type, the sun starts to get a little fierce in April!
Have fun and take sunscreen, preferably a spray on type, the sun starts to get a little fierce in April!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Ireland
Thanks for the response Sensible... I can see where you're coming from when you mention a UK flyin' school not being overly helpful or enthusiastic if I'm gonna ****** off to fly elsewhere!
Thanks again,
Looper
Thanks again,
Looper
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
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Its a very good idea to get the exams out of the way before going over.
But there are a few which can be done with no problem cold.
Air law, HPL, Comms, PofF and AG
Nav, Performance, Met are best done after a bit of flying/planning under your belt.
I also did the big cram in 3 weeks and to behonest you don't learn it properly.
So if ihad my time again i would study the 5 that can be done cold until you would be happy to sit them. Then off to naples and aim to sit them the first day you are there. then you can do the rest during the course as they become relevant.
Word of warning don't be sitting on the plane over reading PPL books. I am sure you will have all the correct visa's etc but best not wind up the colonials. All it takes is one of them to tip the wink to immigration and you will have no end of hassels.
MJ
But there are a few which can be done with no problem cold.
Air law, HPL, Comms, PofF and AG
Nav, Performance, Met are best done after a bit of flying/planning under your belt.
I also did the big cram in 3 weeks and to behonest you don't learn it properly.
So if ihad my time again i would study the 5 that can be done cold until you would be happy to sit them. Then off to naples and aim to sit them the first day you are there. then you can do the rest during the course as they become relevant.
Word of warning don't be sitting on the plane over reading PPL books. I am sure you will have all the correct visa's etc but best not wind up the colonials. All it takes is one of them to tip the wink to immigration and you will have no end of hassels.
MJ
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,395
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
I'm sure that it's indeed possible to do this.
But if anyone elected to take the exams at my RF without intending to do any flying training as well, they'd be required to pay the one-off joining fee and would be charged the same as the CAA charges for sitting the exams.....
Whereas if they do their flying training with us, the first attempt at any exam is totally free of charge.
Use a UK RF/FTO for your exams, then bug.ger off to the US to do your flying? Yes - but expect to pay!
But if anyone elected to take the exams at my RF without intending to do any flying training as well, they'd be required to pay the one-off joining fee and would be charged the same as the CAA charges for sitting the exams.....
Whereas if they do their flying training with us, the first attempt at any exam is totally free of charge.
Use a UK RF/FTO for your exams, then bug.ger off to the US to do your flying? Yes - but expect to pay!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Naples, Florida
Looper
Speaking from experience on both sides of the fence.......do as much as is possible before arriving on this side of the pond....
I really regretted that I did not when I first started my training, and I see that the students that have completed the study, if not the exams, have a far more relaxed attitude and it is that attitude that helps with the flying.
I have seen both sides....the schools that are happy to help as they know that the student will return after a month or so and want to fly their aircraft. Then there are the schools that create difficulty; I know of one student I spoke to only yesterday that does not want to go back to his school as they have made it very difficult to get this training records of 20 hours and his endorsed written exams.
Of course, going to a school that you are not training at it is natural to expect to be charged....I think 15 pounds is about the average rate, but it is money well spent. In addition, this way you also get a feel for the school when choosing where you want to fly when you get back your new pleather folder with your PPL
Good luck and hope to see you soon!
Nikki
I really regretted that I did not when I first started my training, and I see that the students that have completed the study, if not the exams, have a far more relaxed attitude and it is that attitude that helps with the flying.
I have seen both sides....the schools that are happy to help as they know that the student will return after a month or so and want to fly their aircraft. Then there are the schools that create difficulty; I know of one student I spoke to only yesterday that does not want to go back to his school as they have made it very difficult to get this training records of 20 hours and his endorsed written exams.
Of course, going to a school that you are not training at it is natural to expect to be charged....I think 15 pounds is about the average rate, but it is money well spent. In addition, this way you also get a feel for the school when choosing where you want to fly when you get back your new pleather folder with your PPL
Good luck and hope to see you soon!
Nikki
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 743
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From: Kilmacolm
Hi Looper,
I would certainly recommend you study for and pass the written exams over here in the UK before travelling to NAC for the flight training course as it takes the pressure off somewhat.
One word of warning: the exams you sit must be the UK CAA exams and not any other JAR countries exams. The reason is because NAC is a JAR school approved by the UK CAA and thus they'll expect you to have passed the UK version of the exams.
Also ensure you take the PPL Application Form with you to the United States WITH the Exam results and endorsment from the Chief Flying Instructor / Examiner at the school you sit them at in the UK.
Whilst I was at NAC doing my CPL/IR there were a quite a few students doing their PPL's.
One student had passed all of his exams here in the UK before travelling out. He seemed very relaxed as he didn't have to do as much studying as most of the others who were doing their exams at the same time as the flight training course.
You'll have a great time over in NAC.
Can't wait until I go to NAC at the end of June for a FAA Multi rating and a bit of touring in their Arrow IV. I feel a lunch trip to Lakeland coming on.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
I would certainly recommend you study for and pass the written exams over here in the UK before travelling to NAC for the flight training course as it takes the pressure off somewhat.
One word of warning: the exams you sit must be the UK CAA exams and not any other JAR countries exams. The reason is because NAC is a JAR school approved by the UK CAA and thus they'll expect you to have passed the UK version of the exams.
Also ensure you take the PPL Application Form with you to the United States WITH the Exam results and endorsment from the Chief Flying Instructor / Examiner at the school you sit them at in the UK.
Whilst I was at NAC doing my CPL/IR there were a quite a few students doing their PPL's.
One student had passed all of his exams here in the UK before travelling out. He seemed very relaxed as he didn't have to do as much studying as most of the others who were doing their exams at the same time as the flight training course.
You'll have a great time over in NAC.
Can't wait until I go to NAC at the end of June for a FAA Multi rating and a bit of touring in their Arrow IV. I feel a lunch trip to Lakeland coming on.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,414
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From: Europe
Can't wait until I go to NAC at the end of June for a FAA Multi rating and a bit of touring in their Arrow IV. I feel a lunch trip to Lakeland coming on.
Can't stand you boasting about going to Florida when I am sitting here in the cold and wet!
Good to be back with the family and having finally restored life to some normality (and a kitchen too
) but miss the weather and the flying.Sweet memories of Florida and a very rewarding trip it was too. The NAC team did me proud!
Bonne chance Looper!
FD
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,729
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From: 75N 16E
I wouldn't bother doing the exams before you go, BUT I'd read the Thom books cover to cover twice, and then do the exams. They're easy, you have to be a complete moron to fail them if you've read the books.......
For the record, I read the books, went to the US, started flying and then took all my exams, one a day, and passed them no problem. You have plenty of time between now and Arpil to read all the books twice. You'll probably find the exams are included in the cost of the PPL over there.
If you want to do an intensive course, there are people around who charge around £300 for a weekend, they give all the ground school and you sit all the exams, with free re-takes if you need them. However they normally stipulate that you must have read the TT books before attending, so you might as well do it the way I suggest above...
Cheers
EA
For the record, I read the books, went to the US, started flying and then took all my exams, one a day, and passed them no problem. You have plenty of time between now and Arpil to read all the books twice. You'll probably find the exams are included in the cost of the PPL over there.
If you want to do an intensive course, there are people around who charge around £300 for a weekend, they give all the ground school and you sit all the exams, with free re-takes if you need them. However they normally stipulate that you must have read the TT books before attending, so you might as well do it the way I suggest above...
Cheers
EA
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 73
Likes: 3
From: Scotland
Whether or not you decide to sit the exams before going, I would want to be at the stage where you can comgfortably answer all the questions in every section of the ppl confuser before you go.
That way you know you can rattle the exams off as soon as you get there and dedicate all your time to flying without worrying about swotting for exms.
If you find it difficult to get to that stage then maybe it would be better for you to get the exams out of the way before you go, and take the form with you suitably endorsed as described by Charly Zulu.
Presumably you'll be wanting a relationship with a local flying school when you come back to rent their aircraft? Why not start off with them now by doing a couple of hours to get a feel for things and make a start on the exams.
That way you know you can rattle the exams off as soon as you get there and dedicate all your time to flying without worrying about swotting for exms.
If you find it difficult to get to that stage then maybe it would be better for you to get the exams out of the way before you go, and take the form with you suitably endorsed as described by Charly Zulu.
Presumably you'll be wanting a relationship with a local flying school when you come back to rent their aircraft? Why not start off with them now by doing a couple of hours to get a feel for things and make a start on the exams.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 302
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From: N.E. Derbyshire, UK
Other than a 'trial flight' in the UK, to check I was going to enjoy it as much as I hoped, I did all the flying training in Florida. But before leaving the UK I did all of the exams except for R/T and Nav. Could have done Nav as well but thought that it would make more sense having some practical experience first before the exam, whereas the other subjects seemed better (for me anyway) to have the knowledge before needing to put it into practice. So I studied Nav and R/T before leaving but took those exams in Florida.
I would certainly not recommend anyone trying to cram in all the training plus study whilst abroad. I was there four weeks (training for three plus a week holiday) and there's no way I could have managed it all. There might have (just about) been time for it but it would have been too much of a demand on my brain cell for me to cope....
As englishal and scottish_PPL say, definately better to be at least ready to take the exams with the subjects all read and understood before leaving the UK.
Scottish_PPL also makes another good suggestion about starting a relationship with a local flying club now. I'm sure you will find the UK totally different to the US, and you'll probably need more than just the hour or so check-ride with an instructor when you return. Before leaving for Florida I explained to the local club CFI what I was going to do, took my ground exams there, and made it clear that I wanted a few hours with an instructor upon my return to get used to the UK differences (R/T, overhead joins, much more restricted airspace etc). That at least reassured the CFI that I was under no illusions it would be all plane-sailing (pardon the spelling-pun).
April should be a good month to be in FL - that's when I was there and it can be hot and thundery but not as much as in high summer! We had a few tornado warnings when I was there, so don't always assume perfect weather will be the order of the day. My entire first day was washed out with thunderstorms. Flying early in the morning was beautiful (apart from when the viz was poor) - generally very still air, much cooler and less turbulent. Not so late afternoon - it can be bumpy. The most important piece of advise is to have have fun. Good luck!
I would certainly not recommend anyone trying to cram in all the training plus study whilst abroad. I was there four weeks (training for three plus a week holiday) and there's no way I could have managed it all. There might have (just about) been time for it but it would have been too much of a demand on my brain cell for me to cope....
As englishal and scottish_PPL say, definately better to be at least ready to take the exams with the subjects all read and understood before leaving the UK.
Scottish_PPL also makes another good suggestion about starting a relationship with a local flying club now. I'm sure you will find the UK totally different to the US, and you'll probably need more than just the hour or so check-ride with an instructor when you return. Before leaving for Florida I explained to the local club CFI what I was going to do, took my ground exams there, and made it clear that I wanted a few hours with an instructor upon my return to get used to the UK differences (R/T, overhead joins, much more restricted airspace etc). That at least reassured the CFI that I was under no illusions it would be all plane-sailing (pardon the spelling-pun).
April should be a good month to be in FL - that's when I was there and it can be hot and thundery but not as much as in high summer! We had a few tornado warnings when I was there, so don't always assume perfect weather will be the order of the day. My entire first day was washed out with thunderstorms. Flying early in the morning was beautiful (apart from when the viz was poor) - generally very still air, much cooler and less turbulent. Not so late afternoon - it can be bumpy. The most important piece of advise is to have have fun. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Ireland
Thanks for the replies folks.
Scottish_ppl, I have a few hours with a school here in Ireland, but the exams wouldn't count as Charlie Zulu pointed out.
"you have to be a complete moron to fail them ", englishal, you're tempting fate there mate!
There's a 4 weekender ground school to prep for the exams at my current school. Its €450, which isn't bad if you compare it to what you mention EA.
I'll just have to bury my head in the books first and take it from there!
One last question, should I be enrolling and sorting out my visa before I book my flight?... just in case?
Scottish_ppl, I have a few hours with a school here in Ireland, but the exams wouldn't count as Charlie Zulu pointed out.
"you have to be a complete moron to fail them ", englishal, you're tempting fate there mate!
There's a 4 weekender ground school to prep for the exams at my current school. Its €450, which isn't bad if you compare it to what you mention EA.
I'll just have to bury my head in the books first and take it from there!
One last question, should I be enrolling and sorting out my visa before I book my flight?... just in case?
