Which Flying school in Florida?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I understand that procedures are different out there as they are to here and I understand that I will need some flying here to get used to the airspace here.
I am going out there for a month probably, as this apparently is the time I need. When you say do as many practical and written exams before you leave. Do you mean I can sit these exams before actually going to the USA? If I can then yes this would be an added benefit to me, as it would save a lot of time for when I am actually out there. I already have a CAA Class 1 medical because i do want to go professional. I got this last October, so it is not a worry. One question I do have though - is there a difference between a JAA Class 1 and a CAA Class1. If not then is the Class 1 an ok Medical to have before i go out there? Should I get the FAA medical before I go, or can I get it out there? I understand that I need a visa. I know that already. I think someone once mentioned an M1 Visa, although I will look into that in more detail before I go.
Thanks for the info though.
Ross
I am going out there for a month probably, as this apparently is the time I need. When you say do as many practical and written exams before you leave. Do you mean I can sit these exams before actually going to the USA? If I can then yes this would be an added benefit to me, as it would save a lot of time for when I am actually out there. I already have a CAA Class 1 medical because i do want to go professional. I got this last October, so it is not a worry. One question I do have though - is there a difference between a JAA Class 1 and a CAA Class1. If not then is the Class 1 an ok Medical to have before i go out there? Should I get the FAA medical before I go, or can I get it out there? I understand that I need a visa. I know that already. I think someone once mentioned an M1 Visa, although I will look into that in more detail before I go.
Thanks for the info though.
Ross
Join Date: May 2002
Location: U.K.
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
18uk, accomodation is pretty good if you intend stopping in the apartments.Excellent value as you get a full kitchen and washing machine/tumble dryer! Food is no problem 5min walk max from the accom is Publix superstore.
Gonewest is bang on about the reporting points, you will soon get to know them like the back of your hand!Also get a visa to be sure, its an M1 I think.
Just watch out for the alligators!
They are everywhere but in the 5 weeks I was there I never saw one
Gonewest is bang on about the reporting points, you will soon get to know them like the back of your hand!Also get a visa to be sure, its an M1 I think.
Just watch out for the alligators!
They are everywhere but in the 5 weeks I was there I never saw one
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Medicals
Definitely get a Class I if you are planning for a CPL route later on. There are a great many Doctors that do both the FAA and JAA which will save you money as you do need a FAA Class III student medical to fly solo legally in the US of A.
As for writtens, doesn't matter where you go they will all recommend that you do as many as you can before you get there. If you can't get to take any then defintely prep up on the books. Everyone says that is what bogs them down - the flying is the easy bit! Then you may actually have some spare time to go to the beach!!!!
As for writtens, doesn't matter where you go they will all recommend that you do as many as you can before you get there. If you can't get to take any then defintely prep up on the books. Everyone says that is what bogs them down - the flying is the easy bit! Then you may actually have some spare time to go to the beach!!!!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: E Anglia
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FAA medical is not a problem as there is a doctor's office at Naples Airport all of 30 yards from Naples Air Center's front door. USD75.00 or thereabouts.
I would agree also with the concept of getting as many of the writtens done here before you go.
You can do them out there but as one PPL student who was out there same time as me discovered, it eats into your flying time and when you should be concentrating on the practical aspects of flying, you have to cram your head with all the theoretical stuff.
I assume you're going to do the JAA PPL but also consider getting the unrestricted FAAPPL on the back of it>
Takes the hassle out of going back after your PPL and doing shed loads of hour building.
You will as someone else said need to convert yourself when you get back: US flying is very relaxed but having said that their R/T is pretty snappy and you will find yourself sharing the circuit with Biz jets and allsorts.(I followed a B17 and a Hudson in in February.)
One last point: The weather: Weather from june onwards can be b***dy hot and humid with thunderstorms at 3pm every afternoon and if you leave it too late in the year you may even get a hurricane.
Whatver you do get out there and enjoy it: NaplesAC is certainly an excellent place.
Cusco
I would agree also with the concept of getting as many of the writtens done here before you go.
You can do them out there but as one PPL student who was out there same time as me discovered, it eats into your flying time and when you should be concentrating on the practical aspects of flying, you have to cram your head with all the theoretical stuff.
I assume you're going to do the JAA PPL but also consider getting the unrestricted FAAPPL on the back of it>
Takes the hassle out of going back after your PPL and doing shed loads of hour building.
You will as someone else said need to convert yourself when you get back: US flying is very relaxed but having said that their R/T is pretty snappy and you will find yourself sharing the circuit with Biz jets and allsorts.(I followed a B17 and a Hudson in in February.)
One last point: The weather: Weather from june onwards can be b***dy hot and humid with thunderstorms at 3pm every afternoon and if you leave it too late in the year you may even get a hurricane.
Whatver you do get out there and enjoy it: NaplesAC is certainly an excellent place.
Cusco
Join Date: May 2002
Location: U.K.
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could not agree more about the weather. From here on in the weather can get a bit nasty, thunderstorms arrive like clock work in the afternoon and evening and the onset of hurricanes in July time is something to think about. Get out there a.s.a.p or leave it till later on in the year if you can? just remember that bad weather means losing money when you are out there!
It is an amazing place to fly, and it is great experience flying in traffic patterns with so many little jets whizzing around
It is an amazing place to fly, and it is great experience flying in traffic patterns with so many little jets whizzing around
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Paros, Greece
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So will the weather in Florida be OK by October then? I plan to go over there to 'finish off' if I don't manage to get the whole thing done over here before the weather turns too crappy.
For what it's worth, (never been before) I've already decided that NAC is the place for me when I do go. They're not the cheapest (actually only about £7 per hour less than I'm paying here) but I'm more interested in quality and continuity of training ('cos of the weather) than saving money.
All the details on their website advertise prices for full courses - are they quite happy to tailor somthing to finish people off? Don't want to waste their time enquiring direct too much yet as October is a long way off. Anyone who's been (and there seem quite a few) know? I was thinking of 10 or 15 hours over 2 weeks - this sound reasonable? Whould leave enough beach-time so that I actally feel I've had a holiday as well
The benefit of this is that I wouldn't have to do too much familiarisation over here when I get back.
Would I still need a visa for 15 hours in 2 weeks? (Is Richard reading this? - he seems to have the rules sussed.)
Thanks for all your help and hope you enjoy your training as much as I know I will.
For what it's worth, (never been before) I've already decided that NAC is the place for me when I do go. They're not the cheapest (actually only about £7 per hour less than I'm paying here) but I'm more interested in quality and continuity of training ('cos of the weather) than saving money.
All the details on their website advertise prices for full courses - are they quite happy to tailor somthing to finish people off? Don't want to waste their time enquiring direct too much yet as October is a long way off. Anyone who's been (and there seem quite a few) know? I was thinking of 10 or 15 hours over 2 weeks - this sound reasonable? Whould leave enough beach-time so that I actally feel I've had a holiday as well
The benefit of this is that I wouldn't have to do too much familiarisation over here when I get back.
Would I still need a visa for 15 hours in 2 weeks? (Is Richard reading this? - he seems to have the rules sussed.)
Thanks for all your help and hope you enjoy your training as much as I know I will.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rosco... what I meant to say - although this is now academic (after reading that you have a CAA medical already), is that if you did the two medicals at the same time, with the same person, you might not have to pay twice. Too late!!
The other aspect of getting the FAA medical before departure was that in the EXTREMELY unlikely event of not getting one (for some medical reason that you may not be aware of), it would be better to find out before giving Richard Branson a few hundred quid for airline tickets.
Now that we know you have a CAA class 1, we pretty much know that you will get an FAA without a problem. Yeah, consider doing it in Naples (though you have been told it will cost $75 - that's about £53...can you beat that at home??)
Written exams?? Go to your local airport, sign up for some groundschool (ideally) and do the written exams - and R/T practical before you travel (if you can). If not - just buy the books (NAC may be able to have them delivered to your home!!) and start studying.
On the subject of R/T - at PPL level, pretty much all of the stuff you use in the UK will work in the USA...but what they teach you in the USA will not all work in the UK.
knobbygb
October is not (really) a long way off. Weather-wise, 1st June to November 30th is hurricane season...but the peak periods are August and September. CHances of a storm in June or November are virtually nil - though we had a small one last November...that ran into December. Fooled them all.
October still has its chances....you just have to get there and find out (in real time). There is no way of forecasting them!! Even if they come, it's normally only a couple of days of down time - till the winds die down again....unless it's a direct strike from a Cat 4 or 5 storm...and then, flying will be the least thing on your mind.
E-mail NAC with your questions....they will respond (it's their job!!). If you want any specific advice, post the question here - or send me an e-mail through pprune, and I'll try to help.
The other aspect of getting the FAA medical before departure was that in the EXTREMELY unlikely event of not getting one (for some medical reason that you may not be aware of), it would be better to find out before giving Richard Branson a few hundred quid for airline tickets.
Now that we know you have a CAA class 1, we pretty much know that you will get an FAA without a problem. Yeah, consider doing it in Naples (though you have been told it will cost $75 - that's about £53...can you beat that at home??)
Written exams?? Go to your local airport, sign up for some groundschool (ideally) and do the written exams - and R/T practical before you travel (if you can). If not - just buy the books (NAC may be able to have them delivered to your home!!) and start studying.
On the subject of R/T - at PPL level, pretty much all of the stuff you use in the UK will work in the USA...but what they teach you in the USA will not all work in the UK.
knobbygb
October is not (really) a long way off. Weather-wise, 1st June to November 30th is hurricane season...but the peak periods are August and September. CHances of a storm in June or November are virtually nil - though we had a small one last November...that ran into December. Fooled them all.
October still has its chances....you just have to get there and find out (in real time). There is no way of forecasting them!! Even if they come, it's normally only a couple of days of down time - till the winds die down again....unless it's a direct strike from a Cat 4 or 5 storm...and then, flying will be the least thing on your mind.
E-mail NAC with your questions....they will respond (it's their job!!). If you want any specific advice, post the question here - or send me an e-mail through pprune, and I'll try to help.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Britannia flight training
I have recently completed my JAA PPL training at BFC. I found the school to be an exteremely cool place with none of the money grabbing tatics that one hears about. I would recommened that you do your training in a Warrior as there are only 2 152's and a 150. Remember this is a CAA approved school at an attractive price and so cheap and cheerfull go together but most of all it is freindly.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Euroland
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did a FAA PPL last Feb in NAC and stayed in the Student Accomodation.
Training - excellent
Accomodation - good
Area - good
Prices - good
Weather - Hazy!
Fantastic organisation, I hope to visit sometime and do my FAA IR. If Charly is still around, he's a really dedicated instructor!
p.s. are we all forgetting the exceptional airport Naples is? Great GA terminal, good learning envoirnment etc.
Best of luck
VORTIME
Training - excellent
Accomodation - good
Area - good
Prices - good
Weather - Hazy!
Fantastic organisation, I hope to visit sometime and do my FAA IR. If Charly is still around, he's a really dedicated instructor!
p.s. are we all forgetting the exceptional airport Naples is? Great GA terminal, good learning envoirnment etc.
Best of luck
VORTIME
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well as I said before, Naples are sending me out a brochure on CD which apparently holds a 15 minute video on naples Air Center. I am awaiting it's arrival. All I need now is the go ahead from my work that I can have the last two weeks in Sep off. Another question though. many of you have suggested doing some of the writtens before I go. If I signed up to a flying club and just asked to do the writtens, is this not a bit cheeky as you are going away to fly somewhere else or do you sit the writtens somewhere else? Also, how do i get an FAA Medical (the thing that allows you to fly solo in the States)? I already have a CAA Class 1 Medical as I have already stated. The reason was I wanted to be sure I could go commercial.
Regards,
Ross
Regards,
Ross
Join Date: May 2002
Location: U.K.
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NAC will arrange an FAA medical for you, dont worry it is nothing like your class 1!I think it costs $75 and the medical centre is around 30secs walk away from NAC!Yes you do need one to fly solo and must carry it in the plane at all times(along with your CAA one)
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Witnesham, Suffolk
Age: 80
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't do the writtens at a UK flying club. I doubt many would know how to teach for the FAA exams anyway.
Do the study at home, with the Gleim books - they are excellent. Just learn it all, and you'll pass nae bother. But learn it WELL, because the oral bit of the checkride is harder than the writtens and the same subjects come up. In fact, the bits you get wrong in the written are listed on the certificate, and the examiner will concentrate on those to see you've learned it properly now.
There is a chap at Norwich who can do the writtens for you, using the Lasergrade system.
Then, for the checkride, use the ASA "Oral Exam Guide". That's ESSENTIAL. If you learn that book off pat, you'll pass that bit too.
Do the study at home, with the Gleim books - they are excellent. Just learn it all, and you'll pass nae bother. But learn it WELL, because the oral bit of the checkride is harder than the writtens and the same subjects come up. In fact, the bits you get wrong in the written are listed on the certificate, and the examiner will concentrate on those to see you've learned it properly now.
There is a chap at Norwich who can do the writtens for you, using the Lasergrade system.
Then, for the checkride, use the ASA "Oral Exam Guide". That's ESSENTIAL. If you learn that book off pat, you'll pass that bit too.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: honkers
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I must say it is so good to see so many poeple looking forward to be going out to Florida to complete their flight training. It brings back some very happy memories for me as I did my PPL about 8 years ago in Florida.
I have been out there 3 more times to hours build and just loved it.
I fly for an airline now, but I must say that some of my most enjoyable flying has been in the US ,cutting around those blue warm skies.
I am going back out to Florida in September and I can't wait.
Maybe I will meet some of you there.
All the best to you all, and enjoy it.
I have been out there 3 more times to hours build and just loved it.
I fly for an airline now, but I must say that some of my most enjoyable flying has been in the US ,cutting around those blue warm skies.
I am going back out to Florida in September and I can't wait.
Maybe I will meet some of you there.
All the best to you all, and enjoy it.
Last edited by SkyCruiser; 23rd May 2002 at 19:10.
Knobby
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Paros, Greece
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tyke, it's definatley happening this time! Honest! Training is going well and I might (hopefully) be finished before October anyway.
Drop me an Email as I can't find yours and it's turned off in your profile.
Drop me an Email as I can't find yours and it's turned off in your profile.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: round 'ere
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
at last......
After years of "talking the talk", I have finally started to "walk the walk"!!!!
Just started my JAA PPL with Naples AC.
Nothing but praise for the staff and the facilities!!!
knobbyGB
Don't worry about asking them for "partial" courses, Justin should be able to sort you out with whatever you need, he's letting me do my training weekends only!! (I'm a 9-5'er in Miami weekdays).
Just started my JAA PPL with Naples AC.
Nothing but praise for the staff and the facilities!!!
knobbyGB
Don't worry about asking them for "partial" courses, Justin should be able to sort you out with whatever you need, he's letting me do my training weekends only!! (I'm a 9-5'er in Miami weekdays).
Last edited by jfe117; 26th May 2002 at 01:45.