Intensive PPL with on-site accommodation in nice location?
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Hong Kong
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Hi,
I also disagree with that statement that Florida is a piece of cake that ill prepares you for tiny places in Europe. At the end of the day it is about experiences. The more you stay flying local in one region the less versatile you will be.
I trained at EFT back in March 2010. Had a great time and highly recommend it.
Also experienced several times and was to trained to handle serious cross wind landings.
Training in FL is a plus, you will at least get the ball rolling. Subsequent trainings to get used to more difficult situations depends also on your skills and eagerness to master those. Do not analyse too much, you know the adage: analysis paralysis. OneRedPanther: just go for it.
I also disagree with that statement that Florida is a piece of cake that ill prepares you for tiny places in Europe. At the end of the day it is about experiences. The more you stay flying local in one region the less versatile you will be.
I trained at EFT back in March 2010. Had a great time and highly recommend it.
Also experienced several times and was to trained to handle serious cross wind landings.
Training in FL is a plus, you will at least get the ball rolling. Subsequent trainings to get used to more difficult situations depends also on your skills and eagerness to master those. Do not analyse too much, you know the adage: analysis paralysis. OneRedPanther: just go for it.
Join Date: May 2001
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I used to bang out 3 week ppl all the time in inverness.
It has a microclimate which means the only wx issues are the qxc.
50 k viz is not unusual though and i never got bored of the local scenery.
No on site accom but plenty of near by reasonably priced accom as long as you avoid the golf etc.
It has a microclimate which means the only wx issues are the qxc.
50 k viz is not unusual though and i never got bored of the local scenery.
No on site accom but plenty of near by reasonably priced accom as long as you avoid the golf etc.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Glens o' Angus by way of LA
Age: 60
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Our fellow US guys tend to train landing approaches with slightly higher landing speed, about 5-10 knots in excess to what we train in Europe. If you do this at Kegnaes International EKKI on 36 downslope 1300ft gras you are in the water, or at Femoe you may hit the restaurant (oneway RWY).
If you do this at Kegnaes International EKKI
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: lancs.UK
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US really doesn't want visitors....starts with the long queue and hostile officials at their Embassy....just to get a Visa.....then you face Dept. of Homeland security when you get there.......
Spain is desparate for foreign visitors, is geared up for them, prices are rock-bottom..climate is good........
ATM, I can't think of a single reason to favour America over Spain (never been to either, but trying to walk in the O.P's shoes.)
Spain is desparate for foreign visitors, is geared up for them, prices are rock-bottom..climate is good........
ATM, I can't think of a single reason to favour America over Spain (never been to either, but trying to walk in the O.P's shoes.)
Join Date: May 2001
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That's so true these days.
The stupidity that you have to go through to spend your money in the states is absolutely a huge pain in the backside.
There are loads of places in the EU where you can learn to fly and are nice you basically just need to decide which country takes your fancy.
3 week PPL though is not a holiday, its bloody hard work.
The stupidity that you have to go through to spend your money in the states is absolutely a huge pain in the backside.
There are loads of places in the EU where you can learn to fly and are nice you basically just need to decide which country takes your fancy.
3 week PPL though is not a holiday, its bloody hard work.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Glens o' Angus by way of LA
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It ain't just foreigners that catch **** when coming thru US immigration, I,m a US citizen and i regularly get asked bull**** questions. The problem is the US Customs and immigration service and Department of Homeland Security have been on an enormous hiring spree recently and the hiring standards seems to have dropped as the bad attitudes of the new hires has risen, Based on some of the interaction I have had it appears that some have barely graduated out of toll both training school.
Join Date: May 2001
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I don't see why I should pay money and have to jump through their bloody hoops to visit the place.
They don't want me to go their fine I don't want to go their either.
In fact the only thing that I would consider going to see would be Alaska.
I don't have any problems with Americans but there are nicer places to visit in this world and I will visit them instead and spend my money in them.
They don't want me to go their fine I don't want to go their either.
In fact the only thing that I would consider going to see would be Alaska.
I don't have any problems with Americans but there are nicer places to visit in this world and I will visit them instead and spend my money in them.
3 week PPL though is not a holiday, its bloody hard work.
I did a PPL from 27 July 1964 to 21 August 1964 at Thruxton. Not much longer at 25 days. I don't remember it being any harder than, say, learning to ski or sail on a 3 week holiday. I enjoyed it.
PS £135 (+£2/10s Club membership) for the PPL - full board included.
Join Date: May 2001
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its all in the preparation of the student and as you say if they are committed and focused.
If they are its a great three weeks for both instructor and student and it doesn't seem like hard work to either of them.
If on the other hand they have an idea in their head that they can paint the town red every other night and not put the book work in they will struggle and not enjoy it.
If they are its a great three weeks for both instructor and student and it doesn't seem like hard work to either of them.
If on the other hand they have an idea in their head that they can paint the town red every other night and not put the book work in they will struggle and not enjoy it.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
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I did mine in about just under 3 weeks in Florida. I would brag and say I was the usual "better than average" student, I was done in minimum hours. But it definitely wasn't a holiday. 0500 wakeup every morning, and fly as much as you can. I enjoyed it, but it was very hard work. I had excellent instructors though who made it possible.(hint: go to EFT)
I did go to Lollipops a few times though...
The immigration is a non-issue, 2-3 hours total to get everything sorted, hardly a big deal. Besides, I much rather deal with US customs and immigration people, than the spanish ATC.
People who say "Spain over US" are usually the ones who either have vested interest in Spanish aviation training, or as cockney steve said, "never been to either"
I did go to Lollipops a few times though...
The immigration is a non-issue, 2-3 hours total to get everything sorted, hardly a big deal. Besides, I much rather deal with US customs and immigration people, than the spanish ATC.
People who say "Spain over US" are usually the ones who either have vested interest in Spanish aviation training, or as cockney steve said, "never been to either"
Join Date: May 2001
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Been to both actually.
And personally I wouldn't go to either spain or FL.
I did my PPL in FL in the allotted 3 weeks.
I did though have to sort a few issues out which was due to training in the US while doing my CPL and FI ratings especially the FI.
While working as a FI I then had to sort out quite a few US trained pilots. There were some goodun's but the majority had to have re training.
RT was a major issue and also attitude flying and emergency procedures.
And immigration is a huge issue, if you get knocked back once you are stuffed for the rest of your life going to the US all because some low IQ moron on the border doesn't like the look of you. I know two commercial pilots that missed out on jobs because the type rating was in the US in DC but they were banned after a previous visit ended with the next flight back.
Basically you won't know what's wrong with your training until you go to the next level and you discover how many holes you have in it.
And personally I wouldn't go to either spain or FL.
I did my PPL in FL in the allotted 3 weeks.
I did though have to sort a few issues out which was due to training in the US while doing my CPL and FI ratings especially the FI.
While working as a FI I then had to sort out quite a few US trained pilots. There were some goodun's but the majority had to have re training.
RT was a major issue and also attitude flying and emergency procedures.
And immigration is a huge issue, if you get knocked back once you are stuffed for the rest of your life going to the US all because some low IQ moron on the border doesn't like the look of you. I know two commercial pilots that missed out on jobs because the type rating was in the US in DC but they were banned after a previous visit ended with the next flight back.
Basically you won't know what's wrong with your training until you go to the next level and you discover how many holes you have in it.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North of the border
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Have you considered going to New Zealand? I know its not an EASA ticket but its very easy to convert, medical, a few exams and flight test. Another few hundred £/euro but well worth looking at.
I did mine in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga Airport around March time and had great weather, great views and brilliant people around, some clubs will loan you a car to get to the shops only 5 minutes away.
Worth looking into I think, PM if you want more details.
I did mine in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga Airport around March time and had great weather, great views and brilliant people around, some clubs will loan you a car to get to the shops only 5 minutes away.
Worth looking into I think, PM if you want more details.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: lancs.UK
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The Dagoes deal successfully with the dregs of British "society" each year.....the stories of "shagenuf" aka Magaluf and similar "resorts" are well enough known....I am given to understand the TV comedy series "Benidorm" is a very much watered-down version of reality! 
I am sure they welcome Englishstudent-Pilots with open arms......
Also, Bose-x is a long-time member here and comes across as a good guy.
The Septics (See, Ican be even-handed with the insults
) really do come across as the opposite.....however much you try to evade the issue, a bitof digging will reveal the "anti" attitude starts with the cattle-herding that is the several-hour wait to see a surly, hostile official. This is NOT my biased opinion, it is as a result of postings from disgruntled applicants- they can't all be wrong!
At the final count, no doubt the "man in the street" experienceis totally different.........we used to accommodate a lot of servicemen "off Base" from Weathersfield (Suffolk?) in the late 1950's....they were , to a man, open, fun and generous (though they tended toreturn with a different "lady" every time
)
My youngest son has refused point-blank to go there for his employers-2 different lots have tried-he won't even entertain a short visit. the aggro to get in is enoughto put him off.
I sincerely hope Uncle Sam reads this and realises how his reputation is being dragged down by his public-facing employees......
Confession! I was asked to go out and repair a friend's sisters' Rolls Royce.
All paid including my partner, a 3 week holiday. Thanks, but no thanks. She eventuallyfound a British car enthusiast with whom I had several long e-mail conversations A cracked carburettor-float was changed and the car restored to good health.......still waiting , ~3 years later, for a "thanks" e-mail!
I am sure they welcome Englishstudent-Pilots with open arms......
Also, Bose-x is a long-time member here and comes across as a good guy.
The Septics (See, Ican be even-handed with the insults
) really do come across as the opposite.....however much you try to evade the issue, a bitof digging will reveal the "anti" attitude starts with the cattle-herding that is the several-hour wait to see a surly, hostile official. This is NOT my biased opinion, it is as a result of postings from disgruntled applicants- they can't all be wrong!At the final count, no doubt the "man in the street" experienceis totally different.........we used to accommodate a lot of servicemen "off Base" from Weathersfield (Suffolk?) in the late 1950's....they were , to a man, open, fun and generous (though they tended toreturn with a different "lady" every time
)My youngest son has refused point-blank to go there for his employers-2 different lots have tried-he won't even entertain a short visit. the aggro to get in is enoughto put him off.
I sincerely hope Uncle Sam reads this and realises how his reputation is being dragged down by his public-facing employees......
Confession! I was asked to go out and repair a friend's sisters' Rolls Royce.
All paid including my partner, a 3 week holiday. Thanks, but no thanks. She eventuallyfound a British car enthusiast with whom I had several long e-mail conversations A cracked carburettor-float was changed and the car restored to good health.......still waiting , ~3 years later, for a "thanks" e-mail!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
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I would still like to hear why is immigration a "huge issue"?
What are your experiences with US immigration? Why is it an issue? I've gone through most hurdles you can have with US immigration, and I can say it is an absolute non-issue.
Cockney steve's reply is nonsense and I think you'd require ICAO level 7 to understand what he is trying to say.
What are your experiences with US immigration? Why is it an issue? I've gone through most hurdles you can have with US immigration, and I can say it is an absolute non-issue.
Cockney steve's reply is nonsense and I think you'd require ICAO level 7 to understand what he is trying to say.
I've never had any problems with U S Immigration, Customs, or Airport Security. Border Patrol along the Mexican border can be awkward, but never Immigration. I've driven to Spain, and the only problem is a higher proportion of mainly Spanish speakers than the US.
Join Date: May 2001
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I have never had a problem yet either thankfully but I have seen and heard of many that have.
And most of the time its just a huge misunderstanding, that doesn't change the fact though you are then barred from the US including transfer flights.
Some bring problems on themselves with insurance issues as well. I know double figures of people who can't go back because they have left without paying medical bills.
The whole immigration thing takes months of getting things sorted and costs you money. And their is a small chance that everything can come un done due to some idiot having a bad day at work. This will mean that you forfeit any deposit you have paid, airline tickets wasted etc etc.
Going to Europe for training on the other hand just costs you a Ryanair flight. Medical is on your home country's ticket and significantly cheaper travel insurance.
I think that lad at Ormond beach that crash and got burned has now got a half mill dollar medical bill.
The pain in the backside immigration is just one issue, if you do things properly and get all the other cards in line training in the US costs the same if not more than training in Europe.
Oh and if you have an issue with the school in the US you have zero chance of getting your money back. Your backside is on a plane out of the US before you can say visa cancelled.
And most of the time its just a huge misunderstanding, that doesn't change the fact though you are then barred from the US including transfer flights.
Some bring problems on themselves with insurance issues as well. I know double figures of people who can't go back because they have left without paying medical bills.
The whole immigration thing takes months of getting things sorted and costs you money. And their is a small chance that everything can come un done due to some idiot having a bad day at work. This will mean that you forfeit any deposit you have paid, airline tickets wasted etc etc.
Going to Europe for training on the other hand just costs you a Ryanair flight. Medical is on your home country's ticket and significantly cheaper travel insurance.
I think that lad at Ormond beach that crash and got burned has now got a half mill dollar medical bill.
The pain in the backside immigration is just one issue, if you do things properly and get all the other cards in line training in the US costs the same if not more than training in Europe.
Oh and if you have an issue with the school in the US you have zero chance of getting your money back. Your backside is on a plane out of the US before you can say visa cancelled.