PPRuNe Forums - Another PPL in Florida

Comments from Florida PPL

My No 3 offspring was advised a PPL would go some way to improving his chances of selection for Canadian Air Force. (New parameters to selection.) He went to Florida to get his PPL because of lousy Winter weather here and Olympics closing all the air space locally.

Arrived there 2nd of Jan
Met at Airport.
Rented room in house with other trainees
Slow start because of paperwork delays and aircraft availability. (Canadians for PPL have automatic approval when formalities are done but offices were closed post holiday!)
Some instructor unavailability for personal reasons but all instructors, while having different styles, were very good.
Course completed in 47 hours (Minimum 45)
Some delays for weather. (Well it is January and February.)
Included 40 hrs ground school. Must have been good, scored 97% on written!)
Completed FHT on 10th Feb.

Difference with Canada PPL. 3 hrs night dual inc a Xcountry.
2hrs night solo.

PSTAR (Canadian Air Law Test.) is all that is required to get Canada PPL

A couple of comments along the way.

The price quoted is not necessarily the price.

Promised Cessna 150 "is heavily booked and our 172 might not be certified for your purposes (WTF?) but we can upgrade you to a Warrior for only $400." But then they negotiated a great deal.

"We appear to have underestimated your costs and you are running out of (prepaid) hours." There was some confusion and miscalculation but again an excellent deal was negotiable.

Over All? FAA PPL in 5.1/2 weeks. Hard work. Final bill to be totted up but around $8,000. Kid had saved most of the money himself and he is coming home happy.

Oh yes, included a forced landing when engine had a cracked pot. Exemplary example of flying by instructor from 1,000 ft into a farmer's grass field, with cows.