UK, USA, Europe PPL where to study
 

What are your thoughts on where to study for a PPL, night, IMC ratings. UK, USA, or somewhere in EU?

You can't do the IMC rating anywhere except the UK - so that's an easy one!

Where to study? Where are you from? Where do you intend on flying? Every country has slight differences, different weather patterns, different procedures, different ATC phraseology... Etc...

I would recommend learning where you intend to fly most of the time, as if you did go elsewhere, you'd need to come back and do more training in your country of residence before you can rent there. Also be aware of where you are allowed to learn and convert to the licence of your country of residence.

Good luck finding somewhere!
A

I am based in UK, just outside London.

Hi Sam,

If I were you - I would look at the nearest 2/3 (or more) airfields to you online, see the flying schools / flying clubs around, and book a trial lesson with each one of them.

I would then find the environment that I learn best in, some people learn best in schools, with rigid 1 hour slots etc... whilst others (like me) learn better in a more relaxed environment (club), where a cup of tea with the instructor after the flight for a debrief is a prerequisite! Of course schools vary wildly, as do clubs. Prices in the UK aren't too far apart, but there are always a few that are more expensive than others. As this is generally very much a personal experience, and the relationship you had with the instructor and other club members / other staff, it is very hard to give you a definite "best school".

There are a few pointers on how you are being charged though:
1. How is the flight time charged? Tacho, Block, Hobbs?
[if you don't know - generally you'd do around 0.8 tacho per real block hour and is measured by the engine tachometer, block means from brakes off, to brakes on, hobbs vary from oil pressure switches to wind switches activated over a certain threshold]
2. Do they add any taxi time on these?
3. Is there a "fuel surcharge"?
4. Do they charge extra for ground school or is this taught along with the brief and debriefs in addition to self-study?
5. How much do landing fees cost at that airport?
6. How much a touch and go / circuit cost?
7. Is there a membership you need to pay for on joining?
8. Never pay everything up-front!!!

I've been bitten a few times by not understanding the way I was being charged, I once paid just over £250 for 1 hour in a PA28 (from 1977 - not even a new one!) because I didn't understand the payment structure (and they clearly ripped me off - as other places often were around the £150 - £180 mark dual).

Cost is important - but remember that it is also the level of instruction, and the particular instructor you've managed to secure.

I wouldn't waste my time going abroad for it, the savings are quickly no longer savings when you add accommodation, transport and the training you'll require upon coming back to the UK. (I did the maths some time ago, and you barely save enough to warrant the move).

Let us know how you get on!
Best Wishes,
A

Besides alex90 valuable tips, it might be worth spending some time at the school, taking to previous students and seeing how the environment is. Also, not all instructors are the same, and finding the right instructor is valuable for your journey. Also from my personal experience check how the availability of aircraft, instructors is like. And probably best would be to ask operation and students for feedback. And never pay all fees up front. And if you can, I would recommend going to some sunny part of the world, which would mean consistent flying and a license in a month instead spread over years; bad weather can put a spanner in the works. Also getting the ground school done before may help in actual flying.

Simple question Sam:

How many hours do you currently have?

Actually you can, and I did. So long as the examiner has the appropriate CAA accreditation there is no problem.


The IMC is now the IR(R) but I do not think anything has changed in material terms.

Yes you can do IMC abroad
 

That's true. Did mine at Faro, Portugal. Great cross-country ending at Gibraltar. Didn't see anything of Spain and only saw the rock when the foggles came off 😊

Where did you do this, I was searching for schools in Portugal earlier. was thinking it would be good to get IR/Night rating.