Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Non-Airline Forums > Private Flying
Reload this Page >

Single Engine Rentals (USA)

Wikiposts
Search
Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

Single Engine Rentals (USA)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 13th Feb 2009, 20:00
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Europe
Age: 42
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Single Engine Rentals (USA)

Hi Everyone,

My friend wants me to take her to the States to go fly around in a single engine!
Any suggestions from those of you who have done such a flying holiday in America. Where is the best?
Or indeed, is there a better location in the World to go on such a holiday?
Thanks guys,
Tara x
tarasky is offline  
Old 13th Feb 2009, 20:27
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Spain
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
USA

I would go to the USA, simply because there are some great places to see, the aircraft are pretty cheap to rent, the airspace and radio etc are easy and the service is amazing at pretty much every airport that you visit!

Flying in Europe is a pain as they just aren't geared up for GA like the Americans are. Africa is a pain too because of all the people justifying their jobs and wasting your time and mainly trying to rip you off!

You should find some great deals in the USA at the moment, not from the well known JAA schools but from small flying schools and FBO's. Some friends of mine got a C152 for $54 per hour WET (plus tax)!

Florida could be a good starting point as the weather is pretty good, but it depends if you're going in the summer as there can be a lot of thunderstorms. It's also a short hop over to the Bahamas which is a great trip!

Anyway I'm rambling and now wishing I was there, so good luck in whatever you decide to do!
polohippo is offline  
Old 14th Feb 2009, 07:30
  #3 (permalink)  

 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: 75N 16E
Age: 54
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't go to Florida - it it is flat, boring, humid, full of rednecks who want to shoot you, full of dangerous old people with their shopping trolleys. The beches are nice but mind you don't get stung by a Man O War.....California on the other hand is completey different
englishal is offline  
Old 15th Feb 2009, 14:47
  #4 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Europe
Age: 42
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for you replys.
Ya I did all my training bar the IR in Florida so I will head to the West coast for the "flying vacation" I think!
Thanks again,

Tara x
tarasky is offline  
Old 15th Feb 2009, 17:19
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: uk
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try Oregon beautiful scenary mountains, coasts and desert and no sales tax.
chrisbl is offline  
Old 15th Feb 2009, 20:25
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London
Age: 52
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm with Al - it's California all the way.

Why not fly to Vegas. From there you can do the Grand Canyon and maybe fly out to Sandiego and up the coast?
julian_storey is offline  
Old 16th Feb 2009, 18:02
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sweden, Canada, Japan
Age: 57
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the other part of America

There is that other part of America (about 9.9 million square kilometers) just to the north. Very GA friendly and with a dollar that's 25% less than the other one. No TSA either . Just a thought.
Utfart is offline  
Old 16th Feb 2009, 18:35
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London
Age: 52
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They have our Queen on their money.

They MUST be ok
julian_storey is offline  
Old 17th Feb 2009, 09:37
  #9 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 14,234
Received 52 Likes on 28 Posts
Originally Posted by tarasky
Hi Everyone,

My friend wants me to take her to the States to go fly around in a single engine!
Any suggestions from those of you who have done such a flying holiday in America. Where is the best?
Or indeed, is there a better location in the World to go on such a holiday?
Thanks guys,
Tara x
I've done this a few times, and had variable aeroplanes, but always an enjoyable flying experience.

Of those trips I've done, the one where I got the best flying, the best aeroplane, and the best value for money was at a small FBO called Skyschool at Prescott Love field in Arizona. Time permitting, I'd be very happy to go back there again.

A few general hints - in hot/high environments hire a slightly bigger/more powerful aeroplane than you think you'll need, allow a full day at the start (send your friends shopping!) for learning the aeroplane and the local flying environment, be prepared to refuse to take an aircraft - I've been to two FBOs who were very prepared to fob the foreigner off with the crap aeroplane that the locals wouldn't touch (although others with fantastic aeroplanes), and take lots of local advice about the best places to fly, and how.

G
Genghis the Engineer is offline  
Old 17th Feb 2009, 10:53
  #10 (permalink)  

 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: 75N 16E
Age: 54
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you want good aeroplanes, go to either:

California Flight Center, Inc.
or
www.angelcityflyers.com (Diamonds)

Both based at Long Beach and both come highly recommended.
englishal is offline  
Old 17th Feb 2009, 12:23
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Daventry UK
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
best value for money was at a small FBO called Skyschool at Prescott Love field in Arizona
Unfortunately Skyschool went bust at the end of last year. However, Northaire just around the corner are very much in business. Prescott is a lovely location for a US familiarisation exercise, surrounded by vast tracts of uncontrolled airspace, beautiful mountains and VFR weather 360 days of the year. Just 2 hrs N of Phoenix by hourly shuttle bus with a daily BA flight direct non stop from London.

If you call, ask for President and CFI James Dunn and if you dare, mention my name!
david viewing is offline  
Old 17th Feb 2009, 16:49
  #12 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 14,234
Received 52 Likes on 28 Posts
Skyschool's website seems to suggest that they're still in business. Presumably if they don't answer the phone or any Emails - they aren't!

G
Genghis the Engineer is offline  
Old 19th Feb 2009, 12:13
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Daventry UK
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry Ghengis but it's all boarded up and the phone cut off.

FlyPrescott.com has lots of useful info on Prescott. A new FBO terminal is being built for Legend over by the golf club and Randy's Pilot shop is moving over there. (One of the best and certainly the most helpful pilot shop in the US). I don't think Legend offer rentals, but there might be individual aircraft for rent on the field.
david viewing is offline  
Old 19th Feb 2009, 12:50
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London
Age: 52
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Randy's Pilot shop is moving over there. (One of the best and certainly the most helpful pilot shop in the US).
I would absolutely agree with this.

Whilst Randy Faunce (the owner) appears on the face of it to be barking mad, he is actually hugely helpful, nothing is too much trouble for him and his prices are almost always below Sporty's
julian_storey is offline  
Old 19th Feb 2009, 12:53
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: worcestershire
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
US Holiday

Suggest West Coast Pinnacle Aviation Academy at Santa Monica. Very new 182 full glass Garmin1000 180hr will be less for multiple hours. Hired there last October very helpful 1 hour checkride along the coast and through the VFR corridor over LAX. I normally fly business twins here in the UK and Europe but that 1hr flight helped me get used to the G1000 and the differences in RT and US airspace. I have a US licence as well as JAA but not sure that made any difference. Hope this helps
Midland Transport is offline  
Old 20th Feb 2009, 17:17
  #16 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 14,234
Received 52 Likes on 28 Posts
Jumping back in again, I've just contracted a business trip to San Diego next month, which isn't a corner of California that I know.

Can anybody recommend a good place to rent a small single in that vicinity for a couple of days? so that I can give myself a good excuse to tag a couple of days leave onto my trip?

G
Genghis the Engineer is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.