UK PPL student - flying in Portland, OR?
 

Hi all,

I'm currently on solo circuits in the UK, and I've got a trip planned for a conference in Portland in the states. I'd kinda like to not go another week (damned weather) without a bit of practice, so was thinking about getting some instruction over there.

Is this a) advisable and b) something anyone has some suggestions for a decent flight school around?

I'm not looking for someone to let me go solo up there, but more the practice :) Additionally, what sort of documentation should I take?

Thanks!

[Edit - I have dual UK/US citizenship if that helps...]

Hi Maulkin,

I don't think the flying school will have a problem with you turning up, explaining your situation and having an instructor sit with you while you fly around. But, this would be far from productive for your flight training as airspace and regulation in the US can be vastly different in areas and i'm not sure learning the US way would help your UK training. None of your US dual would be of any use back in the UK anyway if the school hasn't got the facility to teach JAR/EASA.

The US citizenship certainly helps as without it, you would need an appropriate visa and TSA clearance for anything that constitutes flight training.

Why not take a ride out to McMinville to the air and space museum and then find a school at KMMV airport opposite and see if you can get a lesson. It wouldn't count to your required training hours, but could be a useful experience.

Airnav lists two flight schools there. I was there very recently but have no knowledge of the flight schools.

Thanks both for the very useful answers - I spoke to my school and they've confirmed it won't count towards hours, but if I wanted to have a fly while over there, for the pleasure of flight, then there's no problems.

Let's see what my schedule is like :)

nothing wrong with going for a hour of circuits to keep your eye in with an instructor.

If you have a USA passport or other proof of citizenship then you are in the fortunate position of just being able to turn up and fly dual.

Yes, you can credit the hours. Any icao compliant training is creditable. It may not always be useful to credit it, apart from adding to your total hours but it is loggable/creditable. My UK ppl included a significant number of just this type of hours. Get the instructor to sign each line in your logbook and get a stamp from the flying club if you can.

At the solo stage, its all about flying, not nav/airspace, no reason why not to go and do some circuits/rejoins. If you are a dual citizen, you might just want a faa ppl anyway, and good comnfidence building experience to fly somewhere new.