Do you think this is a good PPL package?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South Wales
Age: 42
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been told I can take up to 6 weeks off and so far I have built up around 5 weeks (rolling them over from last year).
Feels like I'm going around in circles
Feels like I'm going around in circles
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
very valid points, it has not been unknown for those that have completed four week ppls (either FAA or JAA approved) in the US to need anything from 10 to 20 hours training to get them up to standard.
Seriously - the four week course in the US IS doable, but only if:
- you've done your homework, i.e. arrive with the theory already well studied
- you don't treat is as a holiday, which it isn't.
As for the FAA privileges. Valid in any G-reg. There are numerous threads on here about this being applicable worldwide or not (AFAIK it is). Not sure about the NQ though. In any case, you can then convert quite easily to a JAA license after having acquired a certain amount of hours (from memory 150 PIC, with a certain amount x-country).
IMHO the much better way to go, rather than spend a year driving to and from the airfield and only occasionally flying.
Educated Hillbilly
To a standard where I can send them off on their own without worry they are going to infringe any airspace etc.
For most 5 to 10 hours UK familiarisation is needed. But I certainly know that people from a certain US based school that needed complete retraining.
As said there are plenty of schools in the US training people to a good standard; however there were also a few offering four week courses of suspect standard.
For most 5 to 10 hours UK familiarisation is needed. But I certainly know that people from a certain US based school that needed complete retraining.
As said there are plenty of schools in the US training people to a good standard; however there were also a few offering four week courses of suspect standard.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agreed, the airspace issue is the big one here - but that's a UK problem rather than a US training issue. (I have never, ever, anywhere else encountered such a ridiculous carve-up of airspace, nor the difficulties transiting through CAS - but that's another thread).
Educated Hillbilly
As said FAA training is generally to a good standard; the problems in flight training standards normally lies with the JAA approved schools based in Florida or California with the big glossy ads in the main flying magazines.
it's the exchange rate, stoopid
Sorry, it was never a great line, but...
As the dollar drops, going to the US for ANYTHING aviation is only making more and more sense. Whether you want to learn it, fly it, refresh it, upgrade it, wear it, upload it...
I was there in Jan at 1.5 to the Euro, I'm going back in 6 weeks, at 1.6, perhaps even 1.7!!
This is as good as it has been in the last 15+ years against the European currencies, and best ever for the newbie Euro!
Sam.
As the dollar drops, going to the US for ANYTHING aviation is only making more and more sense. Whether you want to learn it, fly it, refresh it, upgrade it, wear it, upload it...
I was there in Jan at 1.5 to the Euro, I'm going back in 6 weeks, at 1.6, perhaps even 1.7!!
This is as good as it has been in the last 15+ years against the European currencies, and best ever for the newbie Euro!
Sam.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FWIW I just (10 days ago) rental a nicely kitted out 172 in Santa Monica for the grandiose sum of USD 129.-/hr wet. Yep, that's right: GBP 65.- 
Ah, and before I forget - no landing fees
Ah, and before I forget - no landing fees
