A female, PPL training in Florida, HELP.
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Thanks for the response so far.
I will print this thread off for her to have a read.
I will get back to you all soon.
Just thought that I should also mention that she may continue onto JAA CPL/IR
Thanks for all information and please keep them coming.
I will also get in touch with those that have PM me.
Going to work now
Cheers everyone
Any school recommendations would be grateful
Rob
I will print this thread off for her to have a read.
I will get back to you all soon.
Just thought that I should also mention that she may continue onto JAA CPL/IR
Thanks for all information and please keep them coming.
I will also get in touch with those that have PM me.
Going to work now
Cheers everyone
Any school recommendations would be grateful
Rob
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unless your aim is simply to get the PPL, then stop. Why?
I guess 1/3 to 1/2 of those I met when doing my PPL were in that category. Why? They do it as a personal challenge.
It'll give you a longer period of flying, hanging around flying clubs, being involved in aviation.
I am going to get into hot water for this remark, but as the originally interested person is a woman, telling her that getting involved in the usually anorak and plane spotter filled flying club scene is a positive thing may not be the best way to start her off.....
Most women do like flying but equally most women wouldn't touch the "GA airfield scene" with a bargepole.
I spent £8.2k and 66hrs getting my PPL, about average I think for someone of that age. I knew people who were past the 100hr mark, and one person (in their 30s) who spent £20k. The only people I've met who did it in 45hrs were either brilliant natural pilots (and young) or they were ruthless about booking lessons only on nice windless days.
I guess 1/3 to 1/2 of those I met when doing my PPL were in that category. Why? They do it as a personal challenge.
It'll give you a longer period of flying, hanging around flying clubs, being involved in aviation.
I am going to get into hot water for this remark, but as the originally interested person is a woman, telling her that getting involved in the usually anorak and plane spotter filled flying club scene is a positive thing may not be the best way to start her off.....
Most women do like flying but equally most women wouldn't touch the "GA airfield scene" with a bargepole.I spent £8.2k and 66hrs getting my PPL, about average I think for someone of that age. I knew people who were past the 100hr mark, and one person (in their 30s) who spent £20k. The only people I've met who did it in 45hrs were either brilliant natural pilots (and young) or they were ruthless about booking lessons only on nice windless days.
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I am going to get into hot water for this remark, but as the originally interested person is a woman, telling her that getting involved in the usually anorak and plane spotter filled flying club scene is a positive thing may not be the best way to start her off.....
I haven't found all flying clubs to be like that. Admittedly, some are. But others are just good places to get to know people, get known, find out....all sorts of things. If you want to cost-share with other PPLs, find out about cheap aircraft shares, quiz someone about microlights or taildraggers, or scrounge aerial lifts if you can't afford to fly yourself, I can't think of a better place to do it. Certainly not at a new club that you don't know on your return from four weeks in the US.
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There are pros and cons of both ways of learning, and it depends on the person and what they want
I should imagine that learning in 4 weeks, coming back to the UK and doing a few hours, then trying to fly with not much in the way of money, experience, or contacts over here, would be pure hell. No wonder so many people who try it give up
Flying in the US does spoil you though - while not perfect, it shows you how GA could be. Coming back to the small minded anoraks in the UK scene can be quite depressing.
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By all means go abroad, it hurts to say it but it can be worthwhile. As often the case however I agree with Ghengis, you become a better pilot by training where you intend to fly.
My recommendations to potential students always include:
Exams and medical first.
Never go to a school that guarantees a PPL for a fixed price, even if they undertake to pay for the extra hours themselves.
Never pay in advance for the full course, pay day by day or better still as you fly the hours.
Pay by credit card if paying in advance. If this excedes your limit, put the cash into your credit card account in advance, which has the effect of increasing how much you can spend.
I hope the reasons are obvious.
Andy.
FE(A)
My recommendations to potential students always include:
Exams and medical first.
Never go to a school that guarantees a PPL for a fixed price, even if they undertake to pay for the extra hours themselves.
Never pay in advance for the full course, pay day by day or better still as you fly the hours.
Pay by credit card if paying in advance. If this excedes your limit, put the cash into your credit card account in advance, which has the effect of increasing how much you can spend.
I hope the reasons are obvious.
Andy.
FE(A)
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you become a better pilot by training where you intend to fly
You become a better pilot by building on your experiences post PPL GFT/Skills test.
I learned to fly by going the US route and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Any reference to the school I used being mentioned here will ensure that this posting is pulled by the Mods within one nano second.
I fly in the UK and US - and I have no troubles at all adjusting to the differences.
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"You become a better pilot by building on your experiences post PPL GFT/Skills test.
Paris dakar.
I am delighted you are an above average pilot who is able to adopt easily. My experience is that most American trained pilots take a considerable time converting to the UK. The time difference is probably about the same as if they had spent longer learning to fly and accepting the adverse weather. They have certainly spent much less time having weather sytems/prediction explained.
I believe that UK students become "better pilots" by building on their experiences during their training rather than waiting until after they have gained a PPL. Obviously they should continue to build up their kitbag of techniques/knowledge post PPL as well. I do not see how they can learn as much about flying in the UK while flogging around Texas VOR to VOR (or dare I mention GPS) as a student training in their home conditions.
A pilot with x hours who has trained in the UK will have a bigger store of experience than the same pilot, with the same hours if they have largely been spent in a good climate abroad.
If part of the goal is to spend time abroad while learning, and if you intend doing a continous course then there are arguments in favour of going to the states.
I am delighted you are an above average pilot who is able to adopt easily. My experience is that most American trained pilots take a considerable time converting to the UK. The time difference is probably about the same as if they had spent longer learning to fly and accepting the adverse weather. They have certainly spent much less time having weather sytems/prediction explained.
I believe that UK students become "better pilots" by building on their experiences during their training rather than waiting until after they have gained a PPL. Obviously they should continue to build up their kitbag of techniques/knowledge post PPL as well. I do not see how they can learn as much about flying in the UK while flogging around Texas VOR to VOR (or dare I mention GPS) as a student training in their home conditions.
A pilot with x hours who has trained in the UK will have a bigger store of experience than the same pilot, with the same hours if they have largely been spent in a good climate abroad.
If part of the goal is to spend time abroad while learning, and if you intend doing a continous course then there are arguments in favour of going to the states.
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A Sayers,
What? You are aware that the JAA Meterology exam is exactly the same wherever you sit it? What are you trying to say - that only British instructors are able to teach students about wx? I'm not sure what your references to Texas are about (perhaps that's where your American student came from) as the poster specifically asked about Florida, but you should be aware that the weather there is not always CAVOK all day.
The rest of your generalisations are just that - uninformed, from a narrow perspective and just possibly influenced by the fact that your job is training people in the UK.
Your are right about the difference in levels of experience - I would not have been able to do touch and gos on a 10,000ft runway at a international airport, or turned on the lights by using the PTT at an unmanned airfield, had I trained in the UK.
Of course you can - it's another example of your ignorance on this issue.
They have certainly spent much less time having weather sytems/prediction explained.
The rest of your generalisations are just that - uninformed, from a narrow perspective and just possibly influenced by the fact that your job is training people in the UK.
Your are right about the difference in levels of experience - I would not have been able to do touch and gos on a 10,000ft runway at a international airport, or turned on the lights by using the PTT at an unmanned airfield, had I trained in the UK.
dare I mention GPS
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Mr Sayers,
You obviously have no experience of training in the US with comments like that!
As has been said numerous times on this forum the weather is not 100% CAVOK in the US - or maybe you missed the recent hurricanes and floods on the news???
I agree with the others that the PPL is a licence to learn, no one comes away knowing everything when they get issued that mucky brown A4 laser printed PPL. I have certainly learnt a ton more since I got it and I am still learning at the moment.
My experience is that most American trained pilots take a considerable time converting to the UK. The time difference is probably about the same as if they had spent longer learning to fly and accepting the adverse weather.
Obviously minimal experience, probably verging on zero, as you cant tell me that every US trained pilot you have encounered has required 30 hrs extra training to fly in UK airspace???
Protectionist UK instructors bleating again.
If you want a PPL in a month then do your exams here and then go over to the US and do the flying there. Its cheaper and you will have a great time, you will be grounded some days as despite what Sayers thinks it not all blazing sunshine, we were regualry hemmed in by the marine layer when I did my PPL as it was coastal. Will take you a couple of hours familiarisation when you get back to the UK, just the different airspace classifications and radio to get used to.
If you dont mind the long wait for a PPL and extra expense or you cant get away due to work, family commitments, etc then do it the UK.
Its horses for courses at the end of the day.
You obviously have no experience of training in the US with comments like that!
As has been said numerous times on this forum the weather is not 100% CAVOK in the US - or maybe you missed the recent hurricanes and floods on the news???
I agree with the others that the PPL is a licence to learn, no one comes away knowing everything when they get issued that mucky brown A4 laser printed PPL. I have certainly learnt a ton more since I got it and I am still learning at the moment.
My experience is that most American trained pilots take a considerable time converting to the UK. The time difference is probably about the same as if they had spent longer learning to fly and accepting the adverse weather.
Obviously minimal experience, probably verging on zero, as you cant tell me that every US trained pilot you have encounered has required 30 hrs extra training to fly in UK airspace???
Protectionist UK instructors bleating again.
If you want a PPL in a month then do your exams here and then go over to the US and do the flying there. Its cheaper and you will have a great time, you will be grounded some days as despite what Sayers thinks it not all blazing sunshine, we were regualry hemmed in by the marine layer when I did my PPL as it was coastal. Will take you a couple of hours familiarisation when you get back to the UK, just the different airspace classifications and radio to get used to.
If you dont mind the long wait for a PPL and extra expense or you cant get away due to work, family commitments, etc then do it the UK.
Its horses for courses at the end of the day.
Originally Posted by strafer
Your are right about the difference in levels of experience - I would not have been able to do touch and gos on a 10,000ft runway at a international airport, or turned on the lights by using the PTT at an unmanned airfield, had I trained in the UK.
) and the US, I wouldn't say the above were the best examples to indicate why training in the US is sufficient preparation for UK flying.The only important fact is that the CAA/JAR deem that US training at certain establishments is sufficient for issue of a PPL. End of story (or should be)
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A Sayers,
No I'm not! I received what I believe to be first class instruction at the school I attended.
When I returned to blighty I joined my local club to begin building on what I had been taught.
Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of folk back here who amused at my 'funny' style log book or passed comments about the "CAA giving licences away in Corn Flakes packets" but that comes with the territory I suppose.
The other comments I frequently hear is "You'll struggle with the RT and Nav" WTF! I find flying over the flat land of Florida more testing than dealing with the terrain at home (and no, I don't have a GPS, and I've never used one - ever). As for the RT, yes there are some differences but it's not that difficult.
It's funy how much us US trained pilots must learn? Just in case there are any UK trained pilots reading this and thinking about hour-building in the US, be careful, the RT is a bit strange and the Nav is different - hope you don't struggle too much!
I am delighted you are an above average pilot
When I returned to blighty I joined my local club to begin building on what I had been taught.
Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of folk back here who amused at my 'funny' style log book or passed comments about the "CAA giving licences away in Corn Flakes packets" but that comes with the territory I suppose.
The other comments I frequently hear is "You'll struggle with the RT and Nav" WTF! I find flying over the flat land of Florida more testing than dealing with the terrain at home (and no, I don't have a GPS, and I've never used one - ever). As for the RT, yes there are some differences but it's not that difficult.
It's funy how much us US trained pilots must learn? Just in case there are any UK trained pilots reading this and thinking about hour-building in the US, be careful, the RT is a bit strange and the Nav is different - hope you don't struggle too much!
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I love it when people get wound up!
Julian.
"You obviously have no experience of training in the US with comments like that!"
When I flew out of Fort Myers, Pine Shadows AP, Sarasota, St Augustine (on edge of a Hurricane) and loads of other fields in Florida I think I was trained/training in the US.
"...you cant tell me that every US trained pilot you have encounered has required 30 hrs extra training to fly in UK airspace??? "
I can't and I didnt. I said "The time difference is probably about the same as if they had spent longer learning to fly and accepting the adverse weather". If this is inadaquately worded I mean that a US pilot will take as many hours to achieve a set standard of flying as a UK trained pilot. At the point in time they return to the UK the US pilot lacks UK experience. I never mentioned thirty hours, but I do consider that a US trained pilot will need 30 hours extra to reach the same standard of flying as a UK PPL who has done 30 hours post PPL. Again, I believe that when a US trained pilot returns home he lacks some of the skills learnt training in the UK.
(My) minimal experience you refer to is a little bit more than that. I use my own name (its Andy) so you can always go and find me on the list of
FE(A)s. I am very happy with my CFS grade thank you.
Protectionist UK instructors bleating again - I said "it hurts to say it but it can be worthwhile." Hardly protectionist. Bleating?
I consider that I gave impartial advice based upon my own experience, the pro's and the cons. My UK experience includes an unpaid hobby instructing at a school that charges £85ph for a PA28. Because 90% of members have PPL's its mainly check/standards flights rather than ab initio. The students at this base do not spend the 4/5 thousand extra that you refer to. Annother organisation I fly for (unpaid) charges as little as £50ph, but I hope that you and potential readers do not become eligible for this rate.
OK the views are mine and based on my experience - that applies to your views as well. You should be free to give your views without suffering personal attacks based on ignorance of the subject (you or I) and the circumstances in which the views are given. Take the productive, reasoned and persuasive comment of 'englishal' as example of the high standard of debate sometimes resorted to by some contributers.
Your last two paragraphs restate my own views except I also advised getting the medical before going abroad.
strafer
I find (again my own experience - I even give my real name) that pilots returning from the US lack experience of weather in circumstances when it might/might not be ok to fly, but the decision involves local judgement and experience. Generaly I find them overconfident and have seen some nasty results and a lack of appreciation that 'it is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air etc'.
I found US weather to be either great or really bad. I know the US has shades of grey in met, but the outer isles and the Scottish mountains have more, and require a level of local knowledge that is not gained in Florida et al. The same argument applies to pilots trained in East Anglia coming north. Train where you intend to fly if you want to get the most out of it. On the other hand, learn to fly in Alaska/Rockies in winter and I am sure you will come back packed with more experience than most UK PPL's.
Your ref to taking the 18 months to gain a licence in the UK suggests that the trainee is part time. American PPL's can take as long if only one or two hours a month are flown.
You make a lot of inferrals as to what I said which I did not make. If thats how you read them I appologise for poor penmanship on my part. As an example, I could reiterate and say I think you understate you ability. I am sure that you could do touch and goes on a 10,000 foot runway implying that you meant that you were not able to do that. This of course is not what you meant. My own view would be that I would prefer you to learn to fly on a 500m runway of the sort you will encounter in the UK. Having a few big runways under your belt doesnt give you much relevant experience. On the other hand, have you been into Bruntingthorpe or Machrahanish, sorry, Campbeltown?
Your comment "...uninformed, from a narrow perspective ". You are correct, my experience is narrow and limited to my own views gained around the world since I went solo in 1971.
"...and just possibly influenced by the fact that your job is training people in the UK". I fly as a hobby now, not as a job so I dont have anything to protect. I havent made my living as an instructor since '99. I did my twin training and 25 more hours in ***Florida****. Most of my present SEP time is spent teaching ex US PPL's or those who had to come back without completing the course. Rather a lot of the latter. I also give ground exams and help to those going to the US.
I think having been through both systems my views are as good as any when responding to a request for them. You are allowed to disagree.
I will always defer to the greater spread of experience and judgement of the likes of the anonymous 'englishal's' skilled and critical analysis of my views.
"You obviously have no experience of training in the US with comments like that!"
When I flew out of Fort Myers, Pine Shadows AP, Sarasota, St Augustine (on edge of a Hurricane) and loads of other fields in Florida I think I was trained/training in the US.
"...you cant tell me that every US trained pilot you have encounered has required 30 hrs extra training to fly in UK airspace??? "
I can't and I didnt. I said "The time difference is probably about the same as if they had spent longer learning to fly and accepting the adverse weather". If this is inadaquately worded I mean that a US pilot will take as many hours to achieve a set standard of flying as a UK trained pilot. At the point in time they return to the UK the US pilot lacks UK experience. I never mentioned thirty hours, but I do consider that a US trained pilot will need 30 hours extra to reach the same standard of flying as a UK PPL who has done 30 hours post PPL. Again, I believe that when a US trained pilot returns home he lacks some of the skills learnt training in the UK.
(My) minimal experience you refer to is a little bit more than that. I use my own name (its Andy) so you can always go and find me on the list of
FE(A)s. I am very happy with my CFS grade thank you.
Protectionist UK instructors bleating again - I said "it hurts to say it but it can be worthwhile." Hardly protectionist. Bleating?
I consider that I gave impartial advice based upon my own experience, the pro's and the cons. My UK experience includes an unpaid hobby instructing at a school that charges £85ph for a PA28. Because 90% of members have PPL's its mainly check/standards flights rather than ab initio. The students at this base do not spend the 4/5 thousand extra that you refer to. Annother organisation I fly for (unpaid) charges as little as £50ph, but I hope that you and potential readers do not become eligible for this rate.
OK the views are mine and based on my experience - that applies to your views as well. You should be free to give your views without suffering personal attacks based on ignorance of the subject (you or I) and the circumstances in which the views are given. Take the productive, reasoned and persuasive comment of 'englishal' as example of the high standard of debate sometimes resorted to by some contributers.
Your last two paragraphs restate my own views except I also advised getting the medical before going abroad.
strafer
I find (again my own experience - I even give my real name) that pilots returning from the US lack experience of weather in circumstances when it might/might not be ok to fly, but the decision involves local judgement and experience. Generaly I find them overconfident and have seen some nasty results and a lack of appreciation that 'it is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air etc'.
I found US weather to be either great or really bad. I know the US has shades of grey in met, but the outer isles and the Scottish mountains have more, and require a level of local knowledge that is not gained in Florida et al. The same argument applies to pilots trained in East Anglia coming north. Train where you intend to fly if you want to get the most out of it. On the other hand, learn to fly in Alaska/Rockies in winter and I am sure you will come back packed with more experience than most UK PPL's.
Your ref to taking the 18 months to gain a licence in the UK suggests that the trainee is part time. American PPL's can take as long if only one or two hours a month are flown.
You make a lot of inferrals as to what I said which I did not make. If thats how you read them I appologise for poor penmanship on my part. As an example, I could reiterate and say I think you understate you ability. I am sure that you could do touch and goes on a 10,000 foot runway implying that you meant that you were not able to do that. This of course is not what you meant. My own view would be that I would prefer you to learn to fly on a 500m runway of the sort you will encounter in the UK. Having a few big runways under your belt doesnt give you much relevant experience. On the other hand, have you been into Bruntingthorpe or Machrahanish, sorry, Campbeltown?
Your comment "...uninformed, from a narrow perspective ". You are correct, my experience is narrow and limited to my own views gained around the world since I went solo in 1971.
"...and just possibly influenced by the fact that your job is training people in the UK". I fly as a hobby now, not as a job so I dont have anything to protect. I havent made my living as an instructor since '99. I did my twin training and 25 more hours in ***Florida****. Most of my present SEP time is spent teaching ex US PPL's or those who had to come back without completing the course. Rather a lot of the latter. I also give ground exams and help to those going to the US.
I think having been through both systems my views are as good as any when responding to a request for them. You are allowed to disagree.
I will always defer to the greater spread of experience and judgement of the likes of the anonymous 'englishal's' skilled and critical analysis of my views.
The Original Whirly
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Phew!!!!!!!
How can where to learn to fly provoke such strong reactions?
I'm sure it says something about he people writing, but I'm damned if I know what!
One thing that no-one seems to have pointed out...
An intensive course far from home, whatever country it's in, is something separate from everyday life. It suits some people and not others. I did both my CPL and FI course like that, because I had to. I loathed it. I would NEVER do an intensive course if I had the chance of doing something more slowly.
Learning more slowly with lessons once or twice a week becomes a part of your life. It gives you something to look forward to. How long it takes and exactly what it costs may be less important than the fact that you enjoy the journey as much as the goal, and have something to look forward to every week. I did both my PPL(A) and PPL(H) like this; it took lots of hours and time and money, but with hindsight, I wouldn't have done it differently.
Anyone planning to do an intensive course, anywhere, needs to decide if that is the right way for them to learn. For me it isn't. I did an intensive diving course too, and I didn't like that any better. I've finally learnt - no more intensive courses for me!
So think about your own style and preferences of learning as much as the country and weather before swanning off to the US for four weeks. It could be the best decision you ever made....or the worst. And no-one but you knows which it will be.
How can where to learn to fly provoke such strong reactions?
I'm sure it says something about he people writing, but I'm damned if I know what! One thing that no-one seems to have pointed out...
An intensive course far from home, whatever country it's in, is something separate from everyday life. It suits some people and not others. I did both my CPL and FI course like that, because I had to. I loathed it. I would NEVER do an intensive course if I had the chance of doing something more slowly.
Learning more slowly with lessons once or twice a week becomes a part of your life. It gives you something to look forward to. How long it takes and exactly what it costs may be less important than the fact that you enjoy the journey as much as the goal, and have something to look forward to every week. I did both my PPL(A) and PPL(H) like this; it took lots of hours and time and money, but with hindsight, I wouldn't have done it differently.
Anyone planning to do an intensive course, anywhere, needs to decide if that is the right way for them to learn. For me it isn't. I did an intensive diving course too, and I didn't like that any better. I've finally learnt - no more intensive courses for me!
So think about your own style and preferences of learning as much as the country and weather before swanning off to the US for four weeks. It could be the best decision you ever made....or the worst. And no-one but you knows which it will be.
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This thread makes me think that US trained pilots are far more defensive than UK instructors.
I'm also intreguied that Strafer managed to mention the "O" word (or at least its acronym) without the mods pulling it
I'm also intreguied that Strafer managed to mention the "O" word (or at least its acronym) without the mods pulling it
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Well spotted Flaps. Possibly not spotted due to fact that I am not logging on that much this week and missed it yesterday. Normal service will resume on Friday!!!
Regarding the edit by the way, OBA are not allowed any mention in this forum at all. Any link to them or mention, gets removed (if spotted in time!) or the thread will be merged with the thread in Wannabees forum. Nothing personal and most of you know that anyway.
Regarding the edit by the way, OBA are not allowed any mention in this forum at all. Any link to them or mention, gets removed (if spotted in time!) or the thread will be merged with the thread in Wannabees forum. Nothing personal and most of you know that anyway.
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BRL,
That thread is un-stuck now, yet we still cannot metion them anywhere else despite the original poster in this thread asking for the names of schools in Florida!?
Whirlybird,
Please see my earlier post - I did mention that intensive training might not suit everyone.
Flap40,
So why is that then?
OBA are not allowed any mention in this forum at all. Any link to them or mention, gets removed (if spotted in time!) or the thread will be merged with the thread stuck at the top of the Wannabees forum. Nothing personal and most of you know that anyway
Whirlybird,
Please see my earlier post - I did mention that intensive training might not suit everyone.
Flap40,
This thread makes me think that US trained pilots are far more defensive than UK instructors
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US pilots tend to be more defensive, because when they return to the UK, many UK instructors look down their nose at them. On my first ever checkout on my return to the UK with my shiny new PPL, on the taxy out to the runway the instructor asked me where I learned to fly. When I said "America" he said "oh, we don't like those here". Funnily enough, after the 1 hour checkout (Bournemouth) we landed and he said "you flew very well", signed me off and off I went flying the clubs warriors all over the place. Still p*ssed me off though.
From my perspective I gained a lot of experience during my "intensive" $5000 PPL course which took about 5 weeks - noth that I knew it at the time, I thought is was normal. I flew to Big Bear in the mountains at about 7000' (my choice to go to these places) , flew through mountain passes, learned how to lean properly, landed at Catalina Island several times, flew into major international aiports, became familar with special procedures like land and hold short operations, and was totally comfortable with RT from day 7 or so (you had to be). This is one of the "complaints" by UK instructors, that RT is so different. This is not the case and in fact I'd go so far as to say that on my return I found the RT a piece of P*ss - if anything it is easier over here as ATCOs are more precise in their terminology. There was always a 10kt cross wind in the afternoons which at first I used to dread, but you have to learn to deal with them.
True, I never landed at a small grass strip in America, but did land at some fairly short airfields. Landing on grass is no different really, and I did it on my 1 hour checkout with the instructor. He was happy, and so was I and since then I have landed on many grass strips.
It is also not correct to assumer the US has better weather. I was over in California in early march, and despite being instrument rated was pretty much grounded due to overcast and icing levels (isolated severe icing) at 4000' and orthographic thunderstorms hugging the mountains. Even the desert areas, although they can have 100 miles of vis, I have been out there during frightening weather. It is not often you get thunderstorms towering up to 50,000' in the UK, and it can be very lonely when you are surrounded by mars-like terrain. I met a couple of brits over there one summer who were planning to take an Archer III, with 3 POB and luggage into Big Bear in the middle of a summers day. Had they been allowed to get on with it, that would have been the last of them.
I have no problem with people learning to fly wherever they want and don't slag off british trained pilots. I did it in the USA for a bit of an adventure holiday in 2000, and loved it so much went back and gained my instrument rating in 2001, my SE/ME commercial in 2003, and yet own an aeroplane kept at a small unlicenced field in the UK. I don't have a problem with long spells away from home, I do it for a job anyway, and my Mrs came out with me for much of it and we had a great laugh. We go back at least twice per year and rent something nice and new (brand new DA40 G1000 in March for $140 per hour) to play with. The nice thing is that as regulars, we don't need constant checkouts to be allowed to take these machines away, and if we do require the 3 T/O and L/D for insurance purposes, the instructors just jump in and do it for free.
Hopefully later this year it'll be the TwinStars, then I really will feel happy flying in the mountains
From my perspective I gained a lot of experience during my "intensive" $5000 PPL course which took about 5 weeks - noth that I knew it at the time, I thought is was normal. I flew to Big Bear in the mountains at about 7000' (my choice to go to these places) , flew through mountain passes, learned how to lean properly, landed at Catalina Island several times, flew into major international aiports, became familar with special procedures like land and hold short operations, and was totally comfortable with RT from day 7 or so (you had to be). This is one of the "complaints" by UK instructors, that RT is so different. This is not the case and in fact I'd go so far as to say that on my return I found the RT a piece of P*ss - if anything it is easier over here as ATCOs are more precise in their terminology. There was always a 10kt cross wind in the afternoons which at first I used to dread, but you have to learn to deal with them.
True, I never landed at a small grass strip in America, but did land at some fairly short airfields. Landing on grass is no different really, and I did it on my 1 hour checkout with the instructor. He was happy, and so was I and since then I have landed on many grass strips.
It is also not correct to assumer the US has better weather. I was over in California in early march, and despite being instrument rated was pretty much grounded due to overcast and icing levels (isolated severe icing) at 4000' and orthographic thunderstorms hugging the mountains. Even the desert areas, although they can have 100 miles of vis, I have been out there during frightening weather. It is not often you get thunderstorms towering up to 50,000' in the UK, and it can be very lonely when you are surrounded by mars-like terrain. I met a couple of brits over there one summer who were planning to take an Archer III, with 3 POB and luggage into Big Bear in the middle of a summers day. Had they been allowed to get on with it, that would have been the last of them.
I have no problem with people learning to fly wherever they want and don't slag off british trained pilots. I did it in the USA for a bit of an adventure holiday in 2000, and loved it so much went back and gained my instrument rating in 2001, my SE/ME commercial in 2003, and yet own an aeroplane kept at a small unlicenced field in the UK. I don't have a problem with long spells away from home, I do it for a job anyway, and my Mrs came out with me for much of it and we had a great laugh. We go back at least twice per year and rent something nice and new (brand new DA40 G1000 in March for $140 per hour) to play with. The nice thing is that as regulars, we don't need constant checkouts to be allowed to take these machines away, and if we do require the 3 T/O and L/D for insurance purposes, the instructors just jump in and do it for free.
Hopefully later this year it'll be the TwinStars, then I really will feel happy flying in the mountains