Accelerated PPL
 

Hello guys,

Getting a PPL is my childhood dream that embedded in my heart. I determined to get it next year. However, As I work in Hong Kong, I can only take 14 -21 days off in the coming APRIL or MAY. After my research, I know there are accelerated PPL course in US or other parts of the world.

I would like to ask:

1. which countries do you guys recommend to take the accelerated ppl course
2. which city's weather is good for flying from APRIL to MAY
3. recommendations in flying schools
4. preparation to be done prior arrival
5. do i need a different visa to enrol the course

If you guys have experience in getting a ppl through accelerated ppl course, please feel free to share. I appreciate your sharing and experience very much. Thank you so much. :)

You don't want to do theory and practicals in that period, or? If that is your plan, I laugh and await your report after trying. If you have already passed theory, even the usual flight hours would take at the very least 6 weeks, usually - you cannot plan on more than 1 to 2 flight hours a day on average and you need rest to let thing go firm in mind.

You'll need a special visa and checks before training in the USA.
Some areas of the US have very good weather.
I started my PPL at 20.15 on 27/7/64. I finished it at 19.45 on 21/8/64.
That was at the cheapest school I could find, in South England, (Thruxton), on no electrics, no radio, biplane taildraggers. But with excellent instructors. Some days were lost to weather.
You just might be able to do it. Could you get a familiarisation flight in HK before going? Or before planning, so you know what's involved in the practical part?
Someone will be along to give you more details about the US situation. I've only rented there, but for an FAA licence consider areas like South Dakota or Colorado.
I take it time is more important than money.

Thank you for your reminder. I am going to study the material beforehand and planning to take the exam upon arrival. I have read a lot of post and flying school about getting ppl in 14 days. I am not familiar the situation in US and I don't know if there is anything I should consider before making choices. I hope someone could shed lights on accelerated ppl course.

Why the mad rush? It *might* be possible to power through a course in absolute minimum hours if everything were to go swimmingly with the weather, the aeroplanes, the instructors and you. But to what end? Do you go back to a situation where you can immediately fly an aircraft without substantial local familiarization on weather, airspace, etc.? I'm all for efficiency in training but when you get to a situation where you're likely to be exposed to so few commonplace issues, normally requiring some analysis and judgement, are you actually doing yourself any favours in terms of becoming the pilot you'd like to be?

One variation you might consider is to go somewhere you can get a sport pilot licence (or whatever the local variant is called) as a first step, do a little bit of solo flying, then move up to a PPL in a subsequent training block. Even then you're pushing things a bit in terms of practicalities. But in inland Australia, for example, there are places where you could sign up for that and be reasonably confident of excellent Autumn flying weather.

The reality is that you need to develop a certain amount of technique, experience, wisdom and judgement. The hours taken to get to the required levels vary greatly with individuals, and rarely is a person good at all things. It is really true that a PPL (and all other licences, come to that) are licences to learn and, within sensible limits, you might as well spend a decent amount of time before passing a test as catching up afterwards. It's not an instant gratification game.

Hi,
I'm going to the US in october/November to finish ppl, I have completed groundschool in Ireland, I have 20 odd hours of flying but no consistency with weather so I'm hoping to finish in the US. I have 4/5 weeks to play with to finish, some of the groundschool is the same but some differences, the FAA exam is one sitting which I'll have prepared for upon arrival, if it goes well I can focus on the checkride and oral exam.
If I don't complete in the timeframe I'll be a whole lot closer to finishing in a few weeks than I would here at home!

Technically i need 25 approx hours to meet requirements but I will no doubt need more until I am ready for checkride.
I'm going to a school in Texas, weather ain't bad in October November but can change fairly quickly, ive been there twice, November and January this year.
The school is happy to do a custom programme for me and to hope I finish in my time frame but they cannot guarantee which i expect.

The hours I have done is over a broad period and done some hours in crosswinds, showery days and quite choppy.

Some schools will quote they can finish in 2 or 3 weeks but that would be quite difficult. Look up schools in Florida. You will need a visa also for training as you will be obtaining a certificate all going well 👌.