Starting my PPL
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Starting my PPL
Ok guys, Ive searched the forum but not found the answers I needed so here goes...
Im going to start my PPL this year, I was going to take Oct or Nov off work and go to Florida to do it, but have found my local flight school isnt that much difference price wise, and means I can fit it in around work without having to take 4-6 weeks off (of course, weather permitting - typical UK)
I was also told it may be best to learn in the UK as I will experience UK weather insetad of the calm clear skies of the US. Not sure what you all think on that??
Now, is there anywhere else I could do my PPL in a 4 week course? Aprt from the usual places such as Spain, Florida, Arizona and Oz/NZ? Is there anywhere Im missing that I could look into ?
Whats the general feeling on doing PPL abroad vs at home?
thanks for info guys!
Im going to start my PPL this year, I was going to take Oct or Nov off work and go to Florida to do it, but have found my local flight school isnt that much difference price wise, and means I can fit it in around work without having to take 4-6 weeks off (of course, weather permitting - typical UK)
I was also told it may be best to learn in the UK as I will experience UK weather insetad of the calm clear skies of the US. Not sure what you all think on that??
Now, is there anywhere else I could do my PPL in a 4 week course? Aprt from the usual places such as Spain, Florida, Arizona and Oz/NZ? Is there anywhere Im missing that I could look into ?
Whats the general feeling on doing PPL abroad vs at home?
thanks for info guys!
Join Date: Apr 2009
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The problem with Europe/USA/Canada is that the GBP vs USD/CAD/EURO is pretty weak at the moment. Australia and New Zealand is an option, but even then prices aren't as cheap as they were last year and the flights there are pretty expensive.
South Africa may be an option, however I would always support flying in your local flying club and supporting the industry.
South Africa may be an option, however I would always support flying in your local flying club and supporting the industry.
Join Date: Sep 2008
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I started my PPL training in April 2009 in the UK. At present I'm waiting to do my cross country qualifier which has been in the books for a month. Weather is a big issue here at the wrong time of the year, but it's also bad in the states at some point too.
I am pleased to have trained in the uk around work (which has been flexible, allowing me to leave early, have half and full days off to
train - this has been helpful and needs to be done to make the most of instructor availability and weather). However I support the phrase "train where you intend to fly". If you want the brown book quickly do a JAA course out of Orman beach (as a friend did) but do your studying beforehand if you can. If you want to absorb things at a slower pace but still work then train in the uk. The instructors at my school on the south coast are very professional and wouldn't swap them for a month off in the states.
A friend of mine trained in Florida has struggled with getting checked out in the same model of a/c at the school I fly at. I think it took him 5 or 6 hours. One deadly example was he didn't use carb heat much in the states... Once he did pass he wanted to fly with me because he was unfamiliar with the area, airspace and radio so i took those off his hands for the first flight (he had also never done overhead joins before). This doesn't reflect the quality of teaching over there just using a friend as an example
I am pleased to have trained in the uk around work (which has been flexible, allowing me to leave early, have half and full days off to
train - this has been helpful and needs to be done to make the most of instructor availability and weather). However I support the phrase "train where you intend to fly". If you want the brown book quickly do a JAA course out of Orman beach (as a friend did) but do your studying beforehand if you can. If you want to absorb things at a slower pace but still work then train in the uk. The instructors at my school on the south coast are very professional and wouldn't swap them for a month off in the states.
A friend of mine trained in Florida has struggled with getting checked out in the same model of a/c at the school I fly at. I think it took him 5 or 6 hours. One deadly example was he didn't use carb heat much in the states... Once he did pass he wanted to fly with me because he was unfamiliar with the area, airspace and radio so i took those off his hands for the first flight (he had also never done overhead joins before). This doesn't reflect the quality of teaching over there just using a friend as an example
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Thanks guys, I think ill stick with doing it in the UK and then do the hour building in the US later.
To be honest, my local flying school isnt that much different price wise (nfact cheaper than a few US schools) its just the weather thats an issue, especially since I want to start after september! lol
Anyway just bought myself the PPL books online to get a head start!
To be honest, my local flying school isnt that much different price wise (nfact cheaper than a few US schools) its just the weather thats an issue, especially since I want to start after september! lol
Anyway just bought myself the PPL books online to get a head start!
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September isn't a bad time to start in my opinion. As the majority of the flying will be with your instructor anyway, therefore reduced visibility and higher winds (than the student < 10kt rule) would not mean the flight would be cancelled, however if you were trying to go solo in the same weather conditions then maybe it would.
By the summer you would hopefully be onto wanting to get solo, which is the best time to go solo as far as weather is concerned. Traffic is another matter
I have spent the winter trying to go solo, and it has happened, however it's been hard (if you read my blog you will see the lessons in between going solo when the weather isn't good enough etc).
Good luck and get at least half of those exams nailed before you start flying!
By the summer you would hopefully be onto wanting to get solo, which is the best time to go solo as far as weather is concerned. Traffic is another matter
I have spent the winter trying to go solo, and it has happened, however it's been hard (if you read my blog you will see the lessons in between going solo when the weather isn't good enough etc).
Good luck and get at least half of those exams nailed before you start flying!
by the time you've paid for your flights to the states, accomodation fees and living expenses, how much cheaper is it exactly?
if you're going to be flying here then it's probably better to learn here as the weather is so different. There's no use learning in perfect weather, it's not something we have here usually
if you're going to be flying here then it's probably better to learn here as the weather is so different. There's no use learning in perfect weather, it's not something we have here usually
Join Date: Mar 2010
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it's not just about price and weather, presumably there will be a local airport from which you're going to be doing most of your flying and there is a lot to be said for getting to know that field, how to find it, how to find and use the other fields in your area. you're not going to learn that in florida or spain. about 10 hours into my PPL i did one intensive week in spain just to make a few things click in some consistently good weather but i conciously chose to do all the rest at my home airfield for the reasons mentioned.
