PPL in the US
 

Hey guys, looking to finish off my ppl in America, I know of a few easa schools, I only contacted one in Florida. Exams done here in Ireland with a class 2 and have about 25 hours to finish. Anyone do this before or a recommend a school in the US :) Thanks.

Why not finish at home since you're halfway anyway.
Tickets and accommodation expenses will eat up any financial advantages a full course may have.
Besides I'm not sure how much you could be credited as you are switching training organizations.
Could be well more then 25 hrs to finish.

Hi, I'm not getting the consistency as much, I took 9 days leave from work and got 1 hour flying because weather, low cloud, high winds etc, a joke like. Yes weather can be bad in the US but if I was there for 9 days argument sake id get more than 1 hour done.
Flights won't be a problem either to Florida or West coast.
Driving distance from my home to airfield and tolls diesel etc it doesn't be long building up, I can budget for the states just as good only flying more frequent and hopefully finish with 3-4 weeks.

Google North Perry airport. The site gives links to couple of flight schools. APA is fairly new, run by Bob Diaz, did my BFR with him last year. He appears to be offering a fixed price package.
ATA is an older and larger operation with connections to the Florida Aero Club, Mike Punziano is the boss man. For years I was operating in the USA on the basis of a license based on my UK one, but then I converted to a US ticket with them.

Use www.airnav.com and feed it airport names and you'll find business.

North Perry is a nice little field and not as busy as some of the other locals such as Ft Lauderdale Exec.Give it a go.

I agree North Perry (really, really complicated airspace) is a brilliant place to learn.

Not so sure on the EASA training there - I did FAA six years ago.

Wayman Aviation are there also NS Aviation (they may have EASA instructors).

BE aware you can't just rock up - post911 needs security checks, TSA, a training VISA etc. I remember when I went they had to take a photo of me next to one of their airplanes with the N number visible - so TSA could check the person who was there was the person who got the security vetting.

Factor in those costs (you will have to get certified fingerprints, and have a visa interview at an embassy) - summer is not good in Florida though - mornings are good, afternoons can be really bad for t.storms - I went up in Jan/Feb - 49-65F most days, but didn't lose a day due to bad weather. There were high winds only on the last day - the day of my checkride - none of the commercial guys wanted to risk it (they could have got a continuance) I did on day -1 for the the short field landing (we had winds gusting to 35kts with above the demonstrated x-wind for the 172) same deal next day, but since I was leaving the next day I gave it a go and in a brief lull go them fitted in and it worked out.

Sounds like you want an EASA licence. Do you intend to get a CPL or is it just for fun?
The reason I ask is that I would always recommend someone who's just getting a PPL as a stepping stone not to bother with an EASA licence, just get any ICAO PPL. Canada is really cheap at the moment, £73ph for a 152 and no TSA or Visa required

However, you will need to validate and ultimately to convert any 3rd country PPL if you wish to fly EASA aircraft after 2019 at the latest in some EASA Member States who have applied the Art 12(4) derogation.

Pilot who only hold FAA PPLs and who are resident in the UK must now meet the requirements of ORS4 No.1220 if they wish to fly EASA aircraft (e.g. Cessna 152/172, PA-28) in the UK.

EASA aircraft does not mean 'EASA registered'.

Also, any EASA training will only be possible at an ATO or DTO after next April - RFs will no longer be permitted - and a DTO cannot be established outside an EASA Member State. Quite how many non-European ATOs will bother with the EASA PPL after Apr 2018 is frankly open to doubt.

Exactly. If it is PPL only, go for an EASA licence. If however it is going to be a stepping stone towards a CPL, I'd go for an FAA/TC/SACAA licence as it'll work out cheaper and quicker.
I stupidly did an EASA PPL in Florida whilst my room mate did an FAA licence. He got his licence on the spot and took every girl he met up flying. I had to wait months for a licence, and flew my hour building on a series of solo endorsements.

Thanks again for the replies.
Yes my intention is to go CPL, my problem here is every time I want to go flying some of the aircraft is away on cross country, integrated students getting priority and so on. Then the weather sucks, like this week it's looking good again, tried booking an hour have to wait and see.

So some of you mention getting an FAA ppl, where do I stand now with the hours I have done and ground school? Do I have to sit exams again for FAA requirements? I've no problem getting everything sorted to do it abroad, my job is flexible for time off and paid leave.:)

Someone mentioned Canada doing the Ppl? Any more info:) cheers !

The FAA will recognise all of your hours, dual and solo. You need 40 total, including 10 solo and 20 dual, 3 night (the PPL includes night privileges)
You'll have to do a written test. One exam converting all subjects. 60 questions. It'll be the shortest test of your life as they publish a book with all the answers.
You will have an oral exam as part of the flight test, but in your case a two week trip should finish you off.

Thanks :) I have about 20 hours now not much consistency, weather held me back a few times when I thought I was close to solo, I'm near ready just fine tuning a few bits now.
So for talk sake I go and do the FAA ppl get the certificate, start hour building then, where do I stand for doing Atpl? Can it be done here in Europe or will I have to convert the license to easa ? Its only recently I'm considering this so im still doing the research but if someone done it like this it is of great help too :)

If you lack any solo XC time you'll need a sign off from a FAA rated instructor. The minimum requirements are 3 hrs dual XC.
Also 3 hrs night dual with no solo.
3 hrs of basic instrument attitude flying.
The FAA PPL requires something called ground reference maneuvers.
You can look those up on YouTube.

I see EASA are intent on continuing the race to be the least relevant and most idiotic aviation authority worldwide.

Ppl in US
 

Hi, so if I go and finish the Ppl in the US and then hour build there in the new year, start doing the atpl while hour building but sit easa exams ? Does this work and also continue on with cpl/meir in Europe or will I have to complete all in US then convert? Or should I just do all in FAA?
If all went well and for talk sake I done all of it in America and I could get employed in the US when complete id go for that, I've no commitments in Ireland once it's done I'm open to go anywhere really!! Would love a start in America!!
What would you do in my place ?

To start an EASA modular CPL course, you need an ICAO PPL, so an FAA certificate and hour building is fine. You can go from that straight onto the CPL course.

Well that ain't so bad. Hopefully I can finish up the Ppl within a few weeks and start building hours.

I got an email from a school and he sent a quote also from state.gov saying

Here is a quote from the US State Department's web site which will explain:

"Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate, is permitted on a visitor (B) visa."

All technically flown illegally! I know it went on but it was illegal!

Incorrect.
You need an M1 visa for PPL training.