Intensive PPL with on-site accommodation in nice location?
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Anyone have information about the flying school in Christchurch, New Zealand. I
heard that they provide intensive PPL and IFR training.
heard that they provide intensive PPL and IFR training.
Have you considered going to New Zealand?
If you want a PPL in 3 weeks probably best to go to Spain or Florida.
That said if you are young, you could consider getting a working holiday visa and come for a few months to get your PPL and hang out. Earn enough to live and use your savings for flying.
While I have never flown with these guys, I know the airfield (the club own it) and I believe the prices of pretty competitive. The aero club owns the flight school.
Air Hawke's Bay | Air New Zealand Aviation Institute Flight Training (flight school site)
HB&EC AERO CLUB | Come Fly With Us (aero club site)
In the growing season there is plenty of seasonal work around if you want it. HB Fruit Growers Association
The weather (for NZ) is generally quite good in this part of the country (that’s why they grow the fruit.) Staying connected with the guys on the airfield could give the opportunity to do more interesting flying like beaches and farm strips.
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If you have a problem with an European school, you have the same zero chance of getting your money back from them.
Travel insurance, that includes everything you need, can be bought with one phonecall and about £30. Absolute non-issue and absolute stupidity to go anywhere inc. Spain without it.
Immigration doesn't take months, thats just ridiculous. M1 visa process is an hour filling out the forms, and a few weeks in waiting. The embassy visit is a hassle if you're in Inverness, but again is nothing to worry about.
Cost should not be the nr.1 motivator on going to the US. The ability to do it very quickly, the experience you get from it should matter more.
My all-in costs were roughly the same, as PPL would've been in most parts of Europe (just over 10000EUR all in)
But my all-in costs include renting a beachfront condo in Ormond Beach, car rental, tips for strippers in Lollipops and so on. I consider that a bargain.
Travel insurance, that includes everything you need, can be bought with one phonecall and about £30. Absolute non-issue and absolute stupidity to go anywhere inc. Spain without it.
Immigration doesn't take months, thats just ridiculous. M1 visa process is an hour filling out the forms, and a few weeks in waiting. The embassy visit is a hassle if you're in Inverness, but again is nothing to worry about.
Cost should not be the nr.1 motivator on going to the US. The ability to do it very quickly, the experience you get from it should matter more.
My all-in costs were roughly the same, as PPL would've been in most parts of Europe (just over 10000EUR all in)
But my all-in costs include renting a beachfront condo in Ormond Beach, car rental, tips for strippers in Lollipops and so on. I consider that a bargain.
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If you have a problem with an European school, you have the same zero chance of getting your money back from them.
It will cost you less than hundred pounds which is recoverable through the small claims court.
And the main point being the school can't fling you out of the country by cancelling your visa just to get rid of the problem if you have a EU passport.
The whole thing even if you live in London is a huge pain in the backside especially if you have a job and have to take a day off to visit the embassy.
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The USA used to be a great place to kick start your flying relatively cheaply back in the early 90's.
Now you couldn't pay me to go there, a depressing place with to many home land security idiots making you jump through hoops just to get in to the country all under the guise of terrorism, you would be better of coming to a deal with your local flying club/school/ATO or at least one in your own country and supporting your local economy, but do not pay up front to get a deal.
Now you couldn't pay me to go there, a depressing place with to many home land security idiots making you jump through hoops just to get in to the country all under the guise of terrorism, you would be better of coming to a deal with your local flying club/school/ATO or at least one in your own country and supporting your local economy, but do not pay up front to get a deal.
Last edited by Above The Clouds; 11th Aug 2014 at 19:31. Reason: Text edited to make "dera" happy
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If taking a day off is a huge hoop to jump through, then I think we agree to disagree on how huge is a huge pain in the backside. In my books, that is a non-issue.
I've had more hassle dealing with EASA issues and local CAA's, than I've ever had with DHS/CBP/TSA/INS or any other US-based TLA. And I've dealt alot with them, probably way more than your average M1'er...
I will support a local economy, when the local economy is worth supporting. Alot of European flight schools I've seen are simply sad, and would be better off if they just closed their doors and died away.
Avoid "doing a deal with your local flying club" at all costs. In the UK that is possibly the worst thing you can do unless your aim is to spend atleast a year on getting your ticket. I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule, but I can't think of many clubs who's members are happy for a PPL student to effectively reserve a plane for an entire month. This might work for the "lesson per week" heros, but atleast for me, and apparently the OP, the ability to do the PPL in a few weeks is important. This means, it has to be a commercial school (or a very exceptional and rare club+instructor).
I've had more hassle dealing with EASA issues and local CAA's, than I've ever had with DHS/CBP/TSA/INS or any other US-based TLA. And I've dealt alot with them, probably way more than your average M1'er...
I will support a local economy, when the local economy is worth supporting. Alot of European flight schools I've seen are simply sad, and would be better off if they just closed their doors and died away.
Avoid "doing a deal with your local flying club" at all costs. In the UK that is possibly the worst thing you can do unless your aim is to spend atleast a year on getting your ticket. I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule, but I can't think of many clubs who's members are happy for a PPL student to effectively reserve a plane for an entire month. This might work for the "lesson per week" heros, but atleast for me, and apparently the OP, the ability to do the PPL in a few weeks is important. This means, it has to be a commercial school (or a very exceptional and rare club+instructor).
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Avoid "doing a deal with your local flying club" at all costs. In the UK that is possibly the worst thing you can do unless your aim is to spend atleast a year on getting your ticket.
Avoid "doing a deal with your local flying club" at all costs. In the UK that is possibly the worst thing you can do unless your aim is to spend atleast a year on getting your ticket.
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dera, I am beginning to suspect now that you have a vested interest in US flight schools.
I have done a 2 week PPL in the UK and when full time I completed 12 3 week PPL's in the 13 months I was a full time FI.
And taking a day off and travelling to London to get a visa would mean most people would loose a days work if not 2, they would also have to get to London early morning in peak time which can cost hundreds of pounds or get a hotel which isn't cheap either or fly down again at cost followed by getting from the airport to the centre of London which is again not cheap.
If my suspicions are unfounded I apologise.
I mat add I am a airline Captain these days with no vested interest in any flying school anywhere in the world. With over a thousand hours instructional experience. You won't know the standard of your training until it either bites you in the bum or you take your flying to the next level. As someone that did training in FL I discovered the holes in my training at CPL FI training level thankfully. I then had to sort out the sausage factory pilots on their return to the UK before they were aloud to rent aircraft.
I have done a 2 week PPL in the UK and when full time I completed 12 3 week PPL's in the 13 months I was a full time FI.
And taking a day off and travelling to London to get a visa would mean most people would loose a days work if not 2, they would also have to get to London early morning in peak time which can cost hundreds of pounds or get a hotel which isn't cheap either or fly down again at cost followed by getting from the airport to the centre of London which is again not cheap.
If my suspicions are unfounded I apologise.
I mat add I am a airline Captain these days with no vested interest in any flying school anywhere in the world. With over a thousand hours instructional experience. You won't know the standard of your training until it either bites you in the bum or you take your flying to the next level. As someone that did training in FL I discovered the holes in my training at CPL FI training level thankfully. I then had to sort out the sausage factory pilots on their return to the UK before they were aloud to rent aircraft.
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I would love to hear where one can find these flying clubs, who are happy to book a plane for a single PPL student for 3-4 weeks.
The only realistic possibility is a commercial flight school. For an intensive PPL course you need weather that cooperates. This pretty much rules out half of Europe, unless you trust your luck.
I don't know anything about Greece, Italy is very much in the dark ages when it comes to general aviation, Spain has facilities for a course like that, but I much rather deal with CBP/DHS than Spanish ATC.
The only realistic possibility is a commercial flight school. For an intensive PPL course you need weather that cooperates. This pretty much rules out half of Europe, unless you trust your luck.
I don't know anything about Greece, Italy is very much in the dark ages when it comes to general aviation, Spain has facilities for a course like that, but I much rather deal with CBP/DHS than Spanish ATC.
dera, if flying clubs in this country are anything to go by, I think most would be VERY happy to reserve a C152 or so full time for one student pilot _DURING_WEEKDAYS_ . Some careful negotiation might well make for an extra rebate on normal club rates, but of course the club would have to begin by accepting a foreign member.
But indeed the average club plane round here is quite in demand during weekends but scarcely flies mo-fri.
But indeed the average club plane round here is quite in demand during weekends but scarcely flies mo-fri.
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but I can't think of many clubs who's members are happy for a PPL student to effectively reserve a plane for an entire month.
but I can't think of many clubs who's members are happy for a PPL student to effectively reserve a plane for an entire month.
I am sure there are plenty of ATO's who would rather book an aircraft for one student full time over 3 weeks rather than multiple single bookings for different students.
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There are loads of them.
I know of 4 in Scotland alone.
And there are a couple in wales as well.
And I am sure there are more than a few in England as well.
The biggest killer in the UK for some schools is the wx. But several areas get the benefit of micro climates like Prestwick, Inverness, Welshpool etc.
And due to advertising rules on pprune I can't post the links but after 10 seconds I found a school doing 3 week ppl for 8250 euros landing fees included apart from landaways.
If you look at the eastern block EASA schools its even less.
Absolutely no point what's so ever going to the states.
In my day there was because we could get a plane for 35$ dry or 55$ wet. 25$/hour instruction. With an exchange rate of 1.8-1.9 to the pound. These days even the mom and pop brigade are charging over 100$ an hour with 65-75$ an hour for instruction on a C150 with ground instruction at the same rate with an exchange rate of 1.67.
The economics don't work any more either. The pain in the backside immigration stuff just adds insult to injury.
I know of 4 in Scotland alone.
And there are a couple in wales as well.
And I am sure there are more than a few in England as well.
The biggest killer in the UK for some schools is the wx. But several areas get the benefit of micro climates like Prestwick, Inverness, Welshpool etc.
And due to advertising rules on pprune I can't post the links but after 10 seconds I found a school doing 3 week ppl for 8250 euros landing fees included apart from landaways.
If you look at the eastern block EASA schools its even less.
Absolutely no point what's so ever going to the states.
In my day there was because we could get a plane for 35$ dry or 55$ wet. 25$/hour instruction. With an exchange rate of 1.8-1.9 to the pound. These days even the mom and pop brigade are charging over 100$ an hour with 65-75$ an hour for instruction on a C150 with ground instruction at the same rate with an exchange rate of 1.67.
The economics don't work any more either. The pain in the backside immigration stuff just adds insult to injury.
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I have zero interest/affiliation with any FTO anywhere. I did my PPL a year ago in Florida, and thus have quite recent experience with the whole process.
I would have preferred to do it in the UK, as I was living there at the time. Unfortunately the basic skills, such as answering emails, seem to be lost on most UK based operations. Out of 20 emails, getting 2 replies is normal, usually 3 days after you've sent them.
Also, weather is a much bigger factor in northern Europe, especially in the UK, than it is in Florida (let alone AZ). An interrupted intensive course is a massive pain (I guess this is my definition of massive pain in the back heh...). Yes, it is possible to do a 2-week PPL in Europe, but you will need some luck with the weather. Florida is much more consistent with its weather patterns.
When I was doing my research, I read alot about the hassle on getting the visa and so on. I found the whole process very well organised.
School sends you your I-20. The rest, SEVIS, flight school candidate registration and so on you can do yourself.
I actually flew to Belfast for my interview. I was out from the embassy at around 11AM. I forgot one paper(proof of funds, screenshot of online banking with funds available was enough), which I emailed to them later. Visa/passport was in my mailbox 3 working days after they received the email. Absolutely none of that bullying people often warn you about.
I find it very difficult to understand how taking a day off work would be a no-go item for flight training.
Flight training in the US prepares you for flying in Europe very well. This obviously depends alot on your instructor, but that is the same everywhere. There's no need to take lessons when coming back to Europe if you don't want to, the usual PPL training books are enough to understand the differencies.
The OP can decide, which place works best for his plans. I'm just giving feedback on my recent experience with the US visa/flight training policies.
To summarize my points; Avoid northern Europe (weather), and US visa is nothing to be scared of.
I don't have a problem with flying clubs, I'm a member of a couple. No chance to do an intensive course on them, not enough availability during the summer months.
Scheduling is a 4-dimensional puzzle, where you must find a slot when you, the plane, and the instructor are available, and the weather cooperates.
For an intensive course, you must solve this puzzle every day for 2-3 weeks. This summer was very nice, but a year ago, not a chance anywhere north from Paris.
Like I said earlier, money shouldn't be the reason to go to Florida. You can probably do it cheaper in Europe, that is very true. The reasons to go to Florida are the experience itself, and the certainty of getting it done in a reasonable timeframe.
For an intensive stripper-free(they are expensive there!) 3 week trip to FL, you'll end up paying probably around 8000EUR including the visa and other random costs. You can do it cheaper elsewhere, true, but again, people who go there thinking it'll be cheap, quick and involv alot of partying are the ones who come back with no ticket and huge complaints about how crap it is there.
mad_jock: In Florida those prices are way higher than average. $40-50 per hour of instruction and $20-30 for ground is closer to average. I paid for 0 hours of ground during my PPL, but I went there well prepared.
I would have preferred to do it in the UK, as I was living there at the time. Unfortunately the basic skills, such as answering emails, seem to be lost on most UK based operations. Out of 20 emails, getting 2 replies is normal, usually 3 days after you've sent them.
Also, weather is a much bigger factor in northern Europe, especially in the UK, than it is in Florida (let alone AZ). An interrupted intensive course is a massive pain (I guess this is my definition of massive pain in the back heh...). Yes, it is possible to do a 2-week PPL in Europe, but you will need some luck with the weather. Florida is much more consistent with its weather patterns.
When I was doing my research, I read alot about the hassle on getting the visa and so on. I found the whole process very well organised.
School sends you your I-20. The rest, SEVIS, flight school candidate registration and so on you can do yourself.
I actually flew to Belfast for my interview. I was out from the embassy at around 11AM. I forgot one paper(proof of funds, screenshot of online banking with funds available was enough), which I emailed to them later. Visa/passport was in my mailbox 3 working days after they received the email. Absolutely none of that bullying people often warn you about.
I find it very difficult to understand how taking a day off work would be a no-go item for flight training.
Flight training in the US prepares you for flying in Europe very well. This obviously depends alot on your instructor, but that is the same everywhere. There's no need to take lessons when coming back to Europe if you don't want to, the usual PPL training books are enough to understand the differencies.
The OP can decide, which place works best for his plans. I'm just giving feedback on my recent experience with the US visa/flight training policies.
To summarize my points; Avoid northern Europe (weather), and US visa is nothing to be scared of.
I don't have a problem with flying clubs, I'm a member of a couple. No chance to do an intensive course on them, not enough availability during the summer months.
Scheduling is a 4-dimensional puzzle, where you must find a slot when you, the plane, and the instructor are available, and the weather cooperates.
For an intensive course, you must solve this puzzle every day for 2-3 weeks. This summer was very nice, but a year ago, not a chance anywhere north from Paris.
Like I said earlier, money shouldn't be the reason to go to Florida. You can probably do it cheaper in Europe, that is very true. The reasons to go to Florida are the experience itself, and the certainty of getting it done in a reasonable timeframe.
For an intensive stripper-free(they are expensive there!) 3 week trip to FL, you'll end up paying probably around 8000EUR including the visa and other random costs. You can do it cheaper elsewhere, true, but again, people who go there thinking it'll be cheap, quick and involv alot of partying are the ones who come back with no ticket and huge complaints about how crap it is there.
mad_jock: In Florida those prices are way higher than average. $40-50 per hour of instruction and $20-30 for ground is closer to average. I paid for 0 hours of ground during my PPL, but I went there well prepared.
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As a experienced instructor I would say your comments about certain schools communications are correct. Didn't happen were I worked but then again I was flying over 100 hours a month teaching PPL's.
Your comments about the wx are wrong. I much preferred flying in Scotland in the snow than sweating like a pig in Florida.
The quality of training is variable in the US and most require re-educating when they get back. RT, emergencys and navigation were the normal issues.
As an experienced airline Captain the whole visa thing is a complete pain in the bum and not worth the hassel. I have been though it 5 times to get to the work sim.
Cost wise as I indicated earlier there was a major benefit 10 years ago. Now their isn't.
As dera says its your choice OP.
Flat sweaty, very variable training quality different to what your going to be flying in when you get back.
Or go somewhere with something to see out the window, bit of wx so you learn what your actually doing when you inevitably have to deal with post qualification, bit more secure because you can't get thrown out if you have an argument and they cancel your visa to get rid of you.
The other bonus is you don't have to sit on a long haul flight twice sat in cattle class.
If you over run or something comes up while away it cheap and easy to get home and no problem getting back.
Just had a look at the wx I used to fly at, Hurricane Bertha coming through and it was flyable for the last three days and looks good for tomorrow as well.
Over 10k, cloud base BKN045 and 20 knts down the main runway. I would send local students solo in that.
Your comments about the wx are wrong. I much preferred flying in Scotland in the snow than sweating like a pig in Florida.
The quality of training is variable in the US and most require re-educating when they get back. RT, emergencys and navigation were the normal issues.
As an experienced airline Captain the whole visa thing is a complete pain in the bum and not worth the hassel. I have been though it 5 times to get to the work sim.
Cost wise as I indicated earlier there was a major benefit 10 years ago. Now their isn't.
As dera says its your choice OP.
Flat sweaty, very variable training quality different to what your going to be flying in when you get back.
Or go somewhere with something to see out the window, bit of wx so you learn what your actually doing when you inevitably have to deal with post qualification, bit more secure because you can't get thrown out if you have an argument and they cancel your visa to get rid of you.
The other bonus is you don't have to sit on a long haul flight twice sat in cattle class.
If you over run or something comes up while away it cheap and easy to get home and no problem getting back.
Just had a look at the wx I used to fly at, Hurricane Bertha coming through and it was flyable for the last three days and looks good for tomorrow as well.
Over 10k, cloud base BKN045 and 20 knts down the main runway. I would send local students solo in that.
Last edited by mad_jock; 11th Aug 2014 at 20:29.
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Weather is a matter of preference. I hate winter ops and much rather sweat a bit.
The training quality varies alot within Europe too, that is not an argument for or against either option.
Florida is flat, but it has a few interesting places to fly to. Most of northern Europe is flat too. Nothing much to see or do, flying through France, Poland or Germany for example. Scotland and Wales are pretty, but again we have the weather question there.
Fact is, it is possible to do an intensive PPL course anywhere in the world, when you find a flight school that will do that with you.
You just need to do the risk assessment regarding the weather, emergency back home-situations, and other variables in the equation. If the price offered at that training location is something you are happy with given the conditions and the assessed risk, go for it. If you have doubt about the plan, don't go. In my personal opinion and when I was making this decision, I rated the weather risk significant enough anywhere north of Paris to be a no-go.
The visa issues weren't even a consideration in my situation, like I said, it was a complete non-issue for me.
I also think Spain is very boring, FL was much more interesting as a location. Now after flying in both places, I think Spain is very boring and Spanish ATC are godawful, and FL still is very interesting.
So, for my personal criteria, I definitely made the right choice. OP has to make his decision based on his own situation.
The training quality varies alot within Europe too, that is not an argument for or against either option.
Florida is flat, but it has a few interesting places to fly to. Most of northern Europe is flat too. Nothing much to see or do, flying through France, Poland or Germany for example. Scotland and Wales are pretty, but again we have the weather question there.
Fact is, it is possible to do an intensive PPL course anywhere in the world, when you find a flight school that will do that with you.
You just need to do the risk assessment regarding the weather, emergency back home-situations, and other variables in the equation. If the price offered at that training location is something you are happy with given the conditions and the assessed risk, go for it. If you have doubt about the plan, don't go. In my personal opinion and when I was making this decision, I rated the weather risk significant enough anywhere north of Paris to be a no-go.
The visa issues weren't even a consideration in my situation, like I said, it was a complete non-issue for me.
I also think Spain is very boring, FL was much more interesting as a location. Now after flying in both places, I think Spain is very boring and Spanish ATC are godawful, and FL still is very interesting.
So, for my personal criteria, I definitely made the right choice. OP has to make his decision based on his own situation.
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you need to get some stick time in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD9ZggRJ1QA
That was my training area while an instructor.
And the aircraft/route in that film was my job also.
Florida is ****e.
If your going to learn to fly you only get to do it once, do it properly in somewhere your going to remember. Not some sweaty flat ****e hole.
With the budget of 14k euros he could train in Scotland buy a bike to get around on. Stay in a decent BnB or rent a holiday cottage out of season for a month near the airport. Or live in town and get the bus.
And its got the additional advantage that the beer isn't watery piss.
And if he wants to take a break for a week he can go travelling and see something decent which he will remember for the rest of his life.
In Inverness his QXC would be up to wick and Kirkwall in the Orkneys. PPL's pay thousands of euros to do that trip from all over Europe.
What was your QXC, keystone, Naples and back home? So Rednecks a nothing special airport and flat boring farm land with the occasional freeway going across it.
Found a video of flying FL I had obviously blocked out the memory of all the trailer parks.
http://youtu.be/dZIl1HzM83I
you will notice they edited out the cruise section. Because its just mile after mile of exactly the same thing.
http://youtu.be/R05a6bdBgw8
Spot the difference.
http://youtu.be/8f46HHz_PQM
Spent years looking at that view never got bored of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD9ZggRJ1QA
That was my training area while an instructor.
And the aircraft/route in that film was my job also.
Florida is ****e.
If your going to learn to fly you only get to do it once, do it properly in somewhere your going to remember. Not some sweaty flat ****e hole.
With the budget of 14k euros he could train in Scotland buy a bike to get around on. Stay in a decent BnB or rent a holiday cottage out of season for a month near the airport. Or live in town and get the bus.
And its got the additional advantage that the beer isn't watery piss.
And if he wants to take a break for a week he can go travelling and see something decent which he will remember for the rest of his life.
In Inverness his QXC would be up to wick and Kirkwall in the Orkneys. PPL's pay thousands of euros to do that trip from all over Europe.
What was your QXC, keystone, Naples and back home? So Rednecks a nothing special airport and flat boring farm land with the occasional freeway going across it.
Found a video of flying FL I had obviously blocked out the memory of all the trailer parks.
http://youtu.be/dZIl1HzM83I
you will notice they edited out the cruise section. Because its just mile after mile of exactly the same thing.
http://youtu.be/R05a6bdBgw8
Spot the difference.
http://youtu.be/8f46HHz_PQM
Spent years looking at that view never got bored of it.
Last edited by mad_jock; 11th Aug 2014 at 22:32.
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You obviously are living in the 90's with your beer knowledge.
Modern US "craft" beers are very tasty. No-one forces you to drink the lite lagers. Compared to a modern US IPA, UK beer is watery piss.
Scotland is not everyone's "cup of tea". Yes, the scenery is nice, but most towns are, as you would put it, ****e. To me, living in a BnB in Inverness, or somewhere up there, would be torture.
Food in Florida is way better. Another matter of opinion, but I think it's pretty much universally agreed, that UK food is very much an acquired taste most Europeans have yet to acquire. I lived there for a couple of years and still feel sick when thinking about fish and chips, xyz pies and don't even get me started on the delicacies north of the border...
Besides, there's massive political risk at the moment if going to Scotland. You never know how they will vote after they watch too much Braveheart...
If you have a week to travel around, both US and Europe are great for that.
With OP's budget, he can go to Florida, and have enough money left to visit Scotland and fly around a bit.
If he goes to Scotland, he does not have money left to go to the US and fly there.
My XC was to Melbourne, a real airport, with real traffic. Not some run-down grass strip in the middle of nowhere that sees 3 planes a week. Yes, the FL scenery isn't something that will inspire much comments, but the traffic keeps it interesting, and will make you proficient in RT.
Both the US and UK are quite different from rest of Europe when it comes to RT. In the UK you become very proficient with the opening call to a new station. I still think UK ATC's favourite word is "freecall", something that is completely unknown in rest of Europe.
Nothing quite as funny as listening to ATC at LFAT, with the endless stream of G-regs flying in asking for "basic service"...
Modern US "craft" beers are very tasty. No-one forces you to drink the lite lagers. Compared to a modern US IPA, UK beer is watery piss.
Scotland is not everyone's "cup of tea". Yes, the scenery is nice, but most towns are, as you would put it, ****e. To me, living in a BnB in Inverness, or somewhere up there, would be torture.
Food in Florida is way better. Another matter of opinion, but I think it's pretty much universally agreed, that UK food is very much an acquired taste most Europeans have yet to acquire. I lived there for a couple of years and still feel sick when thinking about fish and chips, xyz pies and don't even get me started on the delicacies north of the border...
Besides, there's massive political risk at the moment if going to Scotland. You never know how they will vote after they watch too much Braveheart...
If you have a week to travel around, both US and Europe are great for that.
With OP's budget, he can go to Florida, and have enough money left to visit Scotland and fly around a bit.
If he goes to Scotland, he does not have money left to go to the US and fly there.
My XC was to Melbourne, a real airport, with real traffic. Not some run-down grass strip in the middle of nowhere that sees 3 planes a week. Yes, the FL scenery isn't something that will inspire much comments, but the traffic keeps it interesting, and will make you proficient in RT.
Both the US and UK are quite different from rest of Europe when it comes to RT. In the UK you become very proficient with the opening call to a new station. I still think UK ATC's favourite word is "freecall", something that is completely unknown in rest of Europe.
Nothing quite as funny as listening to ATC at LFAT, with the endless stream of G-regs flying in asking for "basic service"...
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Shirley,the "reserve a plane for a fortnight.".is a canard that doesn't fly....so to speak.
PPL, say 50 hours, over 2 weeks, that's 5 hours a day WEEKDAYS ONLY
A keen stude could do an hour before work, a couple of studes could each do an hour after work and even a lunch-hour lesson could be slotted in ......Our intensive Stude could still get in his 2 1/2 -hours morning and afternoon....of course, if the weather precludes flying, then all bets are off for ALL the studes.
But to intimate that an aircraft has to sit all day ,just to accomodate 5 hours usage, is daft. the big advantage of intensive use,is the engine will spend far longer at optimum working temps and should last longer!
@Dera....most people in England, seeking a US Visa, would automatically approach the London embassy (unless there are branches in other major UK cities)......A good bit of lateral thinking on your part, to go to " Norn Irn " to beat the system.
It worked for you, you enjoyed your American flight-school experience.
A lot of others have voted with their feet.....as Mad Jock said,the only advantage they have now.is weather....but there are plenty of alternates who can offer a more appealing package, without the embassy /visa/homeland sec. / kick you out on a whim hassles. (I suspect the last is an isolated thing, pretty sure any school using this tactic to rip off foreigners would soon be exposed on the internet and be avoided.
PPL, say 50 hours, over 2 weeks, that's 5 hours a day WEEKDAYS ONLY
A keen stude could do an hour before work, a couple of studes could each do an hour after work and even a lunch-hour lesson could be slotted in ......Our intensive Stude could still get in his 2 1/2 -hours morning and afternoon....of course, if the weather precludes flying, then all bets are off for ALL the studes.
But to intimate that an aircraft has to sit all day ,just to accomodate 5 hours usage, is daft. the big advantage of intensive use,is the engine will spend far longer at optimum working temps and should last longer!
@Dera....most people in England, seeking a US Visa, would automatically approach the London embassy (unless there are branches in other major UK cities)......A good bit of lateral thinking on your part, to go to " Norn Irn " to beat the system.
It worked for you, you enjoyed your American flight-school experience.
A lot of others have voted with their feet.....as Mad Jock said,the only advantage they have now.is weather....but there are plenty of alternates who can offer a more appealing package, without the embassy /visa/homeland sec. / kick you out on a whim hassles. (I suspect the last is an isolated thing, pretty sure any school using this tactic to rip off foreigners would soon be exposed on the internet and be avoided.
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My 2 week PPL was meant to be a 6 day week. But ended up flying everyday.
He started with 2 hours a day. First flight at 8:30 and second at 13:00
Then on the 3rd day he asked if we could do a lesson in the evening. he didn't seem tired and neither was I so we did it. Same the next
He went solo on Friday.
And then consolidation on sat when their was a plane free.
Sunday solo first thing in the morning then long nav brief and first nav in afternoon. Mon 2 nav ex's and one solo. Tue long nav ex morning QXC in afternoon. Then he did 5-6 hours a day until sat when we did a mock test and the test on the sunday.
He had done all the exams before he turned up.
To be honest I didn't really do much instructing with him, I was just there to keep things safe and demo things. He just had a natural grasp of the way things worked.
Its not the Ukraine contrary to what one side seem to think about a popular uprising against the wicked politicians in Westminster, there isn't huge demo's, or any effect on daily life.
He started with 2 hours a day. First flight at 8:30 and second at 13:00
Then on the 3rd day he asked if we could do a lesson in the evening. he didn't seem tired and neither was I so we did it. Same the next
He went solo on Friday.
And then consolidation on sat when their was a plane free.
Sunday solo first thing in the morning then long nav brief and first nav in afternoon. Mon 2 nav ex's and one solo. Tue long nav ex morning QXC in afternoon. Then he did 5-6 hours a day until sat when we did a mock test and the test on the sunday.
He had done all the exams before he turned up.
To be honest I didn't really do much instructing with him, I was just there to keep things safe and demo things. He just had a natural grasp of the way things worked.
Besides, there's massive political risk at the moment if going to Scotland
Its not the Ukraine contrary to what one side seem to think about a popular uprising against the wicked politicians in Westminster, there isn't huge demo's, or any effect on daily life.
Last edited by mad_jock; 13th Aug 2014 at 11:58.
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http://easa.europa.eu/system/files/d...id%29.DNO_.pdf
That's another FL school that's had their approval pulled with no notice.
Be very very careful with your money, Ormond beach people lost everything they had paid up front. And I am sure that there will be a more than few in the same situation with Naples as well. Or will be looking at an expensive conversion procedure when returning with a FAA ticket only.
That's another FL school that's had their approval pulled with no notice.
Be very very careful with your money, Ormond beach people lost everything they had paid up front. And I am sure that there will be a more than few in the same situation with Naples as well. Or will be looking at an expensive conversion procedure when returning with a FAA ticket only.
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Try Alice Springs in the centre of Australia - its on the net. No weather issues, full navaids , and the instructor will be your examiner if you are lucky. Its Class D so you get some procedural experience.
Contact Alice Springs Aero Club. Ask for Cliff Mc Can. The cooler months are much more preferable i.e. May to September. Its a very international town.
He can take you on to CPL and IFR multi if you wish.
I did a few type ratings and ME rating there and enjoyed it a lot
Contact Alice Springs Aero Club. Ask for Cliff Mc Can. The cooler months are much more preferable i.e. May to September. Its a very international town.
He can take you on to CPL and IFR multi if you wish.
I did a few type ratings and ME rating there and enjoyed it a lot
Last edited by Mimpe; 21st Aug 2014 at 06:34.