PPL home or away
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Around and about
Age: 34
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I was going to go US until the exchange rate changed...the Visa fee is like 235$ followed by an enrollment fee followed by IDH-20 fee. They all add up and your flight and living do it it home learn to fly in a Relative Environment; (airlines prefere UK flying over US) and then work during the meantime. If you still want to fly in the US Use the money you worked during ur PPL and go on a flying holiday sorted!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ireland
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I did my PPL whilst still working at the same time in Europe and to be perfectly honest if I were to do it all over again I would head over to the USA and do an accelerated PPL course over the course of a month in a school with a good reputation.
There is a certain snobbery you find with people as evidenced above about it being better to do it in Europe but the reality is flying is flying and airlines don't care where you get your PPL. As for the weather, generally it's better in certain parts of the US but don't let people fool you - you certainly get worse weather far more quickly and dramatically than ever occurs in Ireland in the USA as well.
So to conclude - yes the exchange rate is poor now but if you want to get your PPL done and dusted in a matter of weeks go the USA route after doing the appropriate in-depth research on schools over there.
Otherwise stay here and work but expect it to be a long road - I know a guy who just did his PPL full time here and it took him 5 months. And most people who do their PPL part time take about a year and a half to two years here.
Look at all the options and see what will work the best for you.
There is a certain snobbery you find with people as evidenced above about it being better to do it in Europe but the reality is flying is flying and airlines don't care where you get your PPL. As for the weather, generally it's better in certain parts of the US but don't let people fool you - you certainly get worse weather far more quickly and dramatically than ever occurs in Ireland in the USA as well.
So to conclude - yes the exchange rate is poor now but if you want to get your PPL done and dusted in a matter of weeks go the USA route after doing the appropriate in-depth research on schools over there.
Otherwise stay here and work but expect it to be a long road - I know a guy who just did his PPL full time here and it took him 5 months. And most people who do their PPL part time take about a year and a half to two years here.
Look at all the options and see what will work the best for you.
I used to instruct in Arizona. Weather is generally excellent, but avoid summer as it's too hot/turbulent. Try to find a flight school that also has a division training an airline - they'll be more professional. Many schools have European instructors, and the older ones will be able to point out UK / US differences. Good schools will take you to California for real IMC. Expect to fly 10 hours over minimum for costing, and 1 month is realistic IF you've done some bookwork first.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Worcestershire
Age: 58
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Based on my experience and the British weather, if your not able to do it full time, get a few hours over here, get the exams out of the way, finish your ppl in the states and then come back to your flight school for a few hours of local famil.
If your unlucky, the uk/Eire weather will result in loads of extra hours to keep current. I realised too late, that basic flying kills are the same where ever as you use the same typical aircraft. So the best solution will be to get the flying done in as big a block as you can. Don't get me wrong, if you have the time and your lucky you can get it all done in the Uk/Eire in around 50-55 hrs, you will need luck though.
I was ready for test at 50 hrs and due to waiting 6 months for my qxc due to weather and then about the same to get the test, my exams ran out then it was winter. I ended up at about 85 hrs before test, enjoyed the flying but it wasn't p1, instructors are not keen to let you go solo after you have your test hours(in my experience). I even did 3 mock tests, 1 of which was all under the screens, including the handling stuff, great fun and i learnt a lot but it wasn't p1.
All i would say is make sure you get some local familiarisation training when you get back(5-10hrs of xc, controlled airspace and land aways.)
This will set you up for your hour building.
Happy flying.
If your unlucky, the uk/Eire weather will result in loads of extra hours to keep current. I realised too late, that basic flying kills are the same where ever as you use the same typical aircraft. So the best solution will be to get the flying done in as big a block as you can. Don't get me wrong, if you have the time and your lucky you can get it all done in the Uk/Eire in around 50-55 hrs, you will need luck though.
I was ready for test at 50 hrs and due to waiting 6 months for my qxc due to weather and then about the same to get the test, my exams ran out then it was winter. I ended up at about 85 hrs before test, enjoyed the flying but it wasn't p1, instructors are not keen to let you go solo after you have your test hours(in my experience). I even did 3 mock tests, 1 of which was all under the screens, including the handling stuff, great fun and i learnt a lot but it wasn't p1.
All i would say is make sure you get some local familiarisation training when you get back(5-10hrs of xc, controlled airspace and land aways.)
This will set you up for your hour building.
Happy flying.
