Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Further to my JAR-Compliant PPL vs JAA PPL post, I think I could probably live with a FAA PPL - for now at least! ;)

So - next question is can anybody recommend a decent flying school in the USA? There are so many and without really knowing what to look for, it's difficult to even begin to think about where I might go. The ideal solution, I guess, would be to visit a selection, but I thought I'd say what people here had to offer first. Info about UKFT (UK Flight Training) and Anglo-American Aviation, in particular, would be appreciated.

Cheers all!

Leon :ok:

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

May I refer you to the first post in this thead http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=135854

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

May I refer you to the first post in this thead http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=135854

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

OK - comments noted. What about other schools?

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Just perusing the first post in that linked thread I'd not fully agree with the "Never pay up front" repeated advice. There are plenty of flying schools where paying block amounts of cash in advance is quite safe and a good idea as you get a discount. I wouldn't pay for a whole course up front, but $1000 in advance at a time is quite reasonable and can get you a 10% discount, so that would be how I would clarify the advice. If a flying school has been in business for 10 years it's likely to remain in business for the duration of your course. Having said that, caveat emptor is still something you need to be aware of in the States, just like in the UK.

As for recommended schools. Bit hard to answer such a vague question. Most Europeans head for Florida, Arizona or Southern California. So pick a climate. Is the search function back yet?

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

One problem with the present situation (need an I-20, M-1 visa, TSA permission for training) is that the M-1 visa is specific to a school (the visa in your passport will name the school) and by the date range of the training.

So if there is a last minute problem with the school, one is somewhat out of options...

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

No, I0540 - one is not somewhat out of options.

Simply tell the school that you wish to move from which other visa approved school you wish to move to - and they have no choice but to transfer your visa (which will take them just a few seconds on the computer).

If the school one wishes to move from does not comply with this then the STUDENT must call the SEVIS helpdesk personally - and all will be fixed.

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

I am open to suggestions. I've never been to the USA (:eek:) and would appreciated recommendations or suggestions. Ideally I'd try to visit a range of places first (maybe in June), before returning home to the UK to make a decision (and possibly subsequently trainin in late August/September).

Thanks for all the info! :)

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Keygrip

Do you have a reference for this transfer facility, and can you please post the SEVIS contact number?

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Can highly recomend NAIA located in Conway, SC!! Really nice people who work there and they have a campus located 1 min walking distance from the airport......

www.naiasc.com

send me a pm if you want more info

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

hey just for info, I commented on the school the link referred to in a positive way, and it automatically deleted what i wrote and posted that link. don't quite no why
HB

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Hi. Any Ormond related post now gets refered to that thread. Keeps the legal people off my back doing it like that. (Well, off Dannys back, but you know what I mean........) :)

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

leonbrumsack,

I'm going back to school that BRL refers to in 5 weeks time - and that will be my third visit there (feel free to PM me).

I was in California (Palm Springs) a few weeks back and popped into 'Twin Palms Aviation' based at Bermuda Dunes Airport. Brilliant facility, cracking instructors and a lovely Sky Hawk available for hire (they had other aircraft too). The downside was that the school would not accept my UK medical, and insisted I needed a US one if I wished to fly solo. I tried my best to explain that I didn't need a US one but they were having none of it.

If venturing to a school that is not used to dealing with foreign licence holders make sure you know the exact regulations to quote (I didn't....but I do now).

Whilst I would happily return to TPA, I wouldn't do it in the summer :ugh: Too bloody hot :uhoh:

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

did you not get your licence verified before you went out there?
HB

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Hi Hour Builder,

I have a CAA UK PPL and have had my FAA licence (issued on the back of it) for nearly 8 years now, there should have been no problems at all as far as I can see?

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

well you know you do need to have a "validating" medical for the FAA licence (and all pilots licences) to be current, so I think they were right to ask you to get a medical.

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

HB - nope - "license issued on the basis of" requires EITHER a Federal one or a National one - not both.

Having said that - if the national medical isn't current/valid then that would invalidate the pilots licence that it applied to, so the FAA license issued on the basis of, would also be invalid.

No need for Federal medical as well as a national one.

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

Can you give me a reference in the ANO or JAR FCL 1 which states that, would be interesting to know for sure, as I am getting a FAA PPL issued on the back of my JAR licence soon.

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

No. Was that a serious question? I don't mean to be rude - which this is certainly going to sound - but do you really expect either the UK ANO or JAR-FCL to be able dictate what medical is required to fly an N registered aircraft, in Federal airspace?

It's in the FAR's. Do a tad of research under licensing.

Re: Recommended flying schools in USA
 

I was kindly supplied this link by Chilli Monster last year regarding medical validity.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...2.1.10&idno=14