Which Flying school in Florida?
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Which Flying school in Florida?
Hi there,
I am thinking of doing PPL now over summer. I am considering everything as an option and was wondering whether anyone could advise me of some of the best schools in Florida? Everytime someone posts a topic on this, it always ends up a heated debate on which school is best. Therefore if you could all post reply's for me so i can get an idea of what to go for then that would be great. I have been looking at Orlando Flight Training. Is this any good? There is also Britannia Flight Centre?
Regards,
Ross
I am thinking of doing PPL now over summer. I am considering everything as an option and was wondering whether anyone could advise me of some of the best schools in Florida? Everytime someone posts a topic on this, it always ends up a heated debate on which school is best. Therefore if you could all post reply's for me so i can get an idea of what to go for then that would be great. I have been looking at Orlando Flight Training. Is this any good? There is also Britannia Flight Centre?
Regards,
Ross
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Many schools I'd agree, but if you look at all the threads on Naples in Wannabes it's obvious they're either exceedingly devious and have numerous user logins or they really are very good.
Been there twice. They're very good.
Been there twice. They're very good.
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Ok,
So you are recommending Naples. If I get a JAA PPL out there, does this allow me to fly here in the UK? One other question, is that do the airlines look differently on someone, if they training in the USA?
Regards,
Ross
So you are recommending Naples. If I get a JAA PPL out there, does this allow me to fly here in the UK? One other question, is that do the airlines look differently on someone, if they training in the USA?
Regards,
Ross
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Training Mills
IMHO many of these large flight schools act as training mills and process a huge amount volume of people.
I genuinely think that you would be better in the long term to go to a far smaller school and learn on one aeroplane (not one type) with one instructor.
Because he/she will be flying constantly with you, he/she will be able to assess your progress on a hourly basis without the need for refreshers and "the trg log says you did steep turns in yr last flt, so show me a steep turn - then we'll move onto...". I am certain that you'll progress more rapidly and as the instructors are career instructors and not hour building wannabee airline pilots - your grass roots, stick and rudder skills will be well honed.
If this appeals then drop me a mail and I'll recommend somewhere that might be right up your Boulevard - they train on Cessna 150s and Katanas and are well away from any of those other Fl distractions.
The cost is favourably comparable with NAC or OBA and you will not feel like you are on a conveyor belt.
I did my ab-initio trg in this manner in a different continent then my multi-engine rating and instrument work using the conveyor belt and I know which suits me better!
I am not retained or awarded by the place I have in mind - I just recommend them to folk who want to avoid the sausage machine and to date everyone has been happy.
Good luck
Stik
I genuinely think that you would be better in the long term to go to a far smaller school and learn on one aeroplane (not one type) with one instructor.
Because he/she will be flying constantly with you, he/she will be able to assess your progress on a hourly basis without the need for refreshers and "the trg log says you did steep turns in yr last flt, so show me a steep turn - then we'll move onto...". I am certain that you'll progress more rapidly and as the instructors are career instructors and not hour building wannabee airline pilots - your grass roots, stick and rudder skills will be well honed.
If this appeals then drop me a mail and I'll recommend somewhere that might be right up your Boulevard - they train on Cessna 150s and Katanas and are well away from any of those other Fl distractions.
The cost is favourably comparable with NAC or OBA and you will not feel like you are on a conveyor belt.
I did my ab-initio trg in this manner in a different continent then my multi-engine rating and instrument work using the conveyor belt and I know which suits me better!
I am not retained or awarded by the place I have in mind - I just recommend them to folk who want to avoid the sausage machine and to date everyone has been happy.
Good luck
Stik
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NAC was recommended to me by my training provider in the U.K. and I was impressed with the service they provided. They are geared up to take J.A.A. students aswell as F.A.A. so it is an extremely cosmapolitan atmosphere there. In the apartment I stopped in I shared with a guy from Surinam and a lad from Madagasca! I would find it very hard to pick a fault in the training I was provided with. I obviosuly can't compare them to another flying school, as all my training so far has taken place in Naples. IMHO they are well worth a call.
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I have been looking into NAC myself and it looks like after much worrying I'm just going to go for it..!! I've read god knows how much on endless schools but as suggested either NAC has endless logins or they really are very well thought of. Give them a call and ask for Justin, the guy was absolutely on the ball with the million obscure questions i asked him !
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Stiknrude so who do you suggest?
Just curious stiknrude, which school are you suggesting? Surely you can post it here, other people are making suggestions...
I just hope you arent suggesting that school in FL which has an attrocious reputation and got absolutely slammed in wannabes a couple of weeks back
look forward to seeing your post.
I just hope you arent suggesting that school in FL which has an attrocious reputation and got absolutely slammed in wannabes a couple of weeks back
look forward to seeing your post.
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Approach to 19
Have no idea which school was flamed in Wannabees as because I don't qualify as one I never read the forum
I would heartily recommend Keoki Gray at San Fernandino, up nr the Georgia border for ab-initio. He is a very gentle chap with a very nice manner and a very highly thought of display and advanced aerobatic instructor who is just as happy showing newbies how to fly.
Nice school, nice aeroplanes.
Whilst I was there earlier this year doing advanced spinning and getting coached on some maneouvers that were defeating me, he was working up a teenager to solo in the Katana. Young lad was doing ever so well and I was just very impressed with the way that Keoki brought him on.
I guess what I am reinforcing is that it is not aways and only the best instruction/school that promulgates itself in the back of the UK's flying comics.
Oh and if you want a higher recomendation than mine, Patty Wagstaff e-mailed me and suggested I go see Keoki! And if you don't know who she is then I suggest that you stick to Wannabees
Stik
Have no idea which school was flamed in Wannabees as because I don't qualify as one I never read the forum
I would heartily recommend Keoki Gray at San Fernandino, up nr the Georgia border for ab-initio. He is a very gentle chap with a very nice manner and a very highly thought of display and advanced aerobatic instructor who is just as happy showing newbies how to fly.
Nice school, nice aeroplanes.
Whilst I was there earlier this year doing advanced spinning and getting coached on some maneouvers that were defeating me, he was working up a teenager to solo in the Katana. Young lad was doing ever so well and I was just very impressed with the way that Keoki brought him on.
I guess what I am reinforcing is that it is not aways and only the best instruction/school that promulgates itself in the back of the UK's flying comics.
Oh and if you want a higher recomendation than mine, Patty Wagstaff e-mailed me and suggested I go see Keoki! And if you don't know who she is then I suggest that you stick to Wannabees
Stik
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Just another:
Must have just missed you : I was at NAC end Feb early Mar doing FAA/IR (passed).
Very friendly outfit, clean a/c, resident on site snag fixers.
Predominantly Cessnas(152/172) tho' they had a few Warriors and an Arrow.(and a twin ?seneca)
Contract Ab initio to CPL/instructor with a Dutch outfit so all sorts there.
Proprieters (Nikki's a Brit) are v friendly.
Watch the Visa thingy however: best advice is to get a student visa or risk being turned back.
Loads of nice places to visit (Everglades City etc.)
Lovely views (not that I saw much I was either under the hood or in real IMC for 90% of my flying time.
I'd certainly recommend 'em
Cusco.
Must have just missed you : I was at NAC end Feb early Mar doing FAA/IR (passed).
Very friendly outfit, clean a/c, resident on site snag fixers.
Predominantly Cessnas(152/172) tho' they had a few Warriors and an Arrow.(and a twin ?seneca)
Contract Ab initio to CPL/instructor with a Dutch outfit so all sorts there.
Proprieters (Nikki's a Brit) are v friendly.
Watch the Visa thingy however: best advice is to get a student visa or risk being turned back.
Loads of nice places to visit (Everglades City etc.)
Lovely views (not that I saw much I was either under the hood or in real IMC for 90% of my flying time.
I'd certainly recommend 'em
Cusco.
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Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for all the replies. It seems Naples has a very good reputation. Do they provide transportation from the airport and so on? There doesn't appear to be a lot included in the $4000 for the PPL package.
Anything else I should know?
Also, does anyone know if Britannia Flight Centre are any good?
Ross
Thank you so much for all the replies. It seems Naples has a very good reputation. Do they provide transportation from the airport and so on? There doesn't appear to be a lot included in the $4000 for the PPL package.
Anything else I should know?
Also, does anyone know if Britannia Flight Centre are any good?
Ross
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Repeating what most folks have said. I did the "research" last year, and had adverse comments about all the large schools in Florida, with two exceptions.
One (FSI) wanted vast amounts of $ to train me to IR, required me to wear a uniform, and wouldn't discuss my "needs" before I got there. Their reputation is outstanding, their training is apparently second to none, but I didn't want to lash out close on $20k to start over again on the IR.
NAC offered to check me out, and then advise me, but expected that if all went well I might even get change out of $2k. I went to NAC, and all was as they said. I now have an FAA PPL/IR and am a very happy bunny.
I had the same instructor the whole time, and he was excellent. Others there likewise had the same inst all the time, and were likewise very happy. The place is extremely well run.
While not everything was perfect, there was nothing I could complain about. Aircraft do develop snags, and that usually delays a session. But NAC have their own maintenance people and the aircraft was soon back on line.
I can't comment on Stiknruda's recommendation, as I don't know the place he mentions. However, I would trust his judgment a long way, so that place certainly should be on the "consideration" list.
One (FSI) wanted vast amounts of $ to train me to IR, required me to wear a uniform, and wouldn't discuss my "needs" before I got there. Their reputation is outstanding, their training is apparently second to none, but I didn't want to lash out close on $20k to start over again on the IR.
NAC offered to check me out, and then advise me, but expected that if all went well I might even get change out of $2k. I went to NAC, and all was as they said. I now have an FAA PPL/IR and am a very happy bunny.
I had the same instructor the whole time, and he was excellent. Others there likewise had the same inst all the time, and were likewise very happy. The place is extremely well run.
While not everything was perfect, there was nothing I could complain about. Aircraft do develop snags, and that usually delays a session. But NAC have their own maintenance people and the aircraft was soon back on line.
I can't comment on Stiknruda's recommendation, as I don't know the place he mentions. However, I would trust his judgment a long way, so that place certainly should be on the "consideration" list.
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I went to Britannia once for some hour building, and its a nice little set-up. Accomodation is good, and convenient, the PPL students all seemed very content with the instruction. The aircraft were a bit shabby however, so if you like shiny things, then look elsewhere.
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Just speak to Nikki Gentil at admin via the NAC website about travel.They can pick you up from MIA, RSW etc basically anywhere thats not too far. They can include the cost of the trip as one of your lessons if you wish.If I were you I would think about flying into Fort Myers(RSW) which is around 30mins max in a C172 north of Naples. Flights are a little more expensive into RSW as you can't fly direct but it is closer than MIA.
If you need any more info just ask
P.S. Cusco I left on the 23rd feb were you there then?
If you need any more info just ask
P.S. Cusco I left on the 23rd feb were you there then?
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Just another.
Nope Just missed you: Keef and I flew in on 23rd Feb but didn't start training till Monday 25th.
Loved every minute of it and although admittedly we weren't there for PPL training I felt that Nikki and Richard had PPL training sussed: JAA or FAA they had the trainers to fit and though I was light years older than most of the students and therefore required hotel accomodation, speaking to PPL students there , they were very happy with their accomodation.
Also NAC were very happy to fly over to Opaloka just north of Miami to pick up students, or fly to Fort Myers 20 mins northof Naples.
If you need details pick up the phone and ring Nikki.
Cusco
Nope Just missed you: Keef and I flew in on 23rd Feb but didn't start training till Monday 25th.
Loved every minute of it and although admittedly we weren't there for PPL training I felt that Nikki and Richard had PPL training sussed: JAA or FAA they had the trainers to fit and though I was light years older than most of the students and therefore required hotel accomodation, speaking to PPL students there , they were very happy with their accomodation.
Also NAC were very happy to fly over to Opaloka just north of Miami to pick up students, or fly to Fort Myers 20 mins northof Naples.
If you need details pick up the phone and ring Nikki.
Cusco
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I emailed Naples as they seem to be the one most people here are talking about.
They emailed me back today confirming to me that no conversion needs to be made back in the UK. Accomodation looks ok - I am student anyway, so I am used to student accomodation
Are they able to pick you up from say Miami airport do you think? They are going to send me out a CD-ROM. Is it any good?
Regards,
Ross
P.S. Thank you for all the help and information you guys have given me. I think Naples seems to be at the top of my list at the moment.
They emailed me back today confirming to me that no conversion needs to be made back in the UK. Accomodation looks ok - I am student anyway, so I am used to student accomodation
Are they able to pick you up from say Miami airport do you think? They are going to send me out a CD-ROM. Is it any good?Regards,
Ross
P.S. Thank you for all the help and information you guys have given me. I think Naples seems to be at the top of my list at the moment.
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Rossco..
Whilst no conversion should be needed when you return to the UK - you must plan on flying a few hours with an instructor at your local airfield anyway.
The licence needs no conversion but...YOU DO!!
You have read it many times before - procedures are different in the USA than they are in UK, the rules of the air are different, aircraft performance is different...etc. etc.
Also, between Naples Air Traffic Control and your flying instructor you will be taught how to find "the Courthouse", "Gordon's Pass" and "the toll booths"......and how to get from any one of them to the airfield. None of this will mean anything to you when you get back to the UK.
How long are you going out there for?? If you want a really good kick start to your training do as many written (and R/T practical??) exams as possible before leaving UK soil - also highly recommend getting JAA medical (class 1 if you intend to go professional, class 2 if staying as a private pilot) BEFORE going out to the USA. Indeed, with a bit of homework, you should be able to find a medical examiner in the UK that can issue you with BOTH the JAA medical (required for your licence application) and an FAA medical (required before you can fly "solo" in U.S. airspace - part of your course). If you do find an FAA medic, ensure he/she also gives you a student pilot certificate with that medical.
Last recommendation - get a visa before going. Another Florida school had a student turned back at Orlando recently....after somebody reported to the Immigration officials that [the student] was reading a flight training book (Trevor Thom) on the flight.
Above all else...have a marvellous time.
Whilst no conversion should be needed when you return to the UK - you must plan on flying a few hours with an instructor at your local airfield anyway.
The licence needs no conversion but...YOU DO!!
You have read it many times before - procedures are different in the USA than they are in UK, the rules of the air are different, aircraft performance is different...etc. etc.
Also, between Naples Air Traffic Control and your flying instructor you will be taught how to find "the Courthouse", "Gordon's Pass" and "the toll booths"......and how to get from any one of them to the airfield. None of this will mean anything to you when you get back to the UK.
How long are you going out there for?? If you want a really good kick start to your training do as many written (and R/T practical??) exams as possible before leaving UK soil - also highly recommend getting JAA medical (class 1 if you intend to go professional, class 2 if staying as a private pilot) BEFORE going out to the USA. Indeed, with a bit of homework, you should be able to find a medical examiner in the UK that can issue you with BOTH the JAA medical (required for your licence application) and an FAA medical (required before you can fly "solo" in U.S. airspace - part of your course). If you do find an FAA medic, ensure he/she also gives you a student pilot certificate with that medical.
Last recommendation - get a visa before going. Another Florida school had a student turned back at Orlando recently....after somebody reported to the Immigration officials that [the student] was reading a flight training book (Trevor Thom) on the flight.
Above all else...have a marvellous time.