Socal App;
My personal reason for getting FAA PPL is that I have glasses and I fall just outside JAA Vision Standards. No need to worry, because there are some nice N-reg's available where I live.

As for the M-1 Visa and TSA .. I was planning to start the procedures next week. That gives me about 3.5 months. This must be enough, no?

LR

Hi
To be sure about tsa, I allready intended to do it in Pairs, altough Tom said it would be ok to do overthere;-)
Lima, did you allready make kind of costcalculation? How long do you intend to stay, in and out?
We'd fly to Orlando and rent a car also (girlfriend will join as her vacation, she knows she won't see me 4 weeks;-)

Paul,
Below is my personal cost break down. It includes everything (flight School, living expensens, accomodation, airline ticket, ...). All prices are converted to EURO (1.3 exchange rate) !
For what it's worth...

Visa/TSA/SEVI fees 300
FAA Medical class 3 90
Books/Maps/Headset 250
FAA Written Exam (Paris) 160
Airline Ticket 800
Daily Expenses 550
Aircraft/ C152 x 40h (*) 2000
Flight Instruction (20h) 550
FAA Flight Exam 200
Accomodation 600
Extra Aircraft (10h) 500
10 % total safety margin 600
====> TOTAL ESTIMATED COST = 6600 EUR

I will fly to Tampa, that's the closest international airport near Crystal River. I will stay there for 4 weeks and plan to get the PPL in 21 to 25 days. That leaves me with 3 or 7 days of holiday. Crystal River seems to be a small town with a mall, some banks and restaurants. Nothing much to do but relax. I consider that to be a positive thing cause you can concentrate on the fying.


LR

You are just there when they use the C152 for the last time, from august only the C172 will be available.
TSA is $279 in Paris.(who cares)
Where in paris can you do the written, also at flightsafety??
Book, map and headset, wich headset will you buy?
I allready own the ASA ppl kit, looks good, even as the faa theoryset (dvd's + kit)

I use the Gleim PPL Kit and like it very much. But ASA is the same I guess. There are some websites where you can take a sample exam and I found this very usefull to check your knowledge. If you have DVD, this sample exam is normally included.

I will buy a headset when I arrive in US. Probably a cheap model. When I'm a more experienced pilot, I will invest in a better model/brand.

I will do my Theory Exam in Le Bourget/Paris, at Flight Safety, in May. It costs about 150 EUR. They also can take your fingerprints, it's an official TSA location. But you have to start the TSA procedure before you can do the fingerprints. Price of fingerprints unknown.
You say: "TSA is $279 in Paris." Where does that figure come from?? What does it include?

LR

you first register online with the TSA, paying them $130, then, once you receive the 'Fingerprint Instructions' email from them, you go to the tsc-csc website and register online with them, paying $149. This is the final payment you would have to make.That's what Paris told me. (not Paris Hilton)

Do you now if the adres for the faa theory is the same as for fingerprints?? I only contacted frankfurt...

The post is outdated, but the school still works, and I can say that they are perfect! I completed my IR and CPL with them, and everything is fast and fair. Additionally they treat you as a family member :)