Hour building (USA)
Flies for fun
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Wishing it was somewhere sunny!
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have used them on a number of occasions, new/nearly new 172 SP's with all the bells and whistles. Instructors are pretty much as you would find anywhere (hour building to commercial mostly) The people who run it are good at what they do and don't spring surprise "extras" like a lot of places. They don't do CAA training, only FAA but that should be no big deal if you are only going hourbuilding. MAke sure before you go that it is ok to take the aircraft away, I have always checked and it has always been ok. If you float around Kissimmee for any length of time you will go comatose! its flat and its boring! There are cheaper places but then perhaps not with new aircraft. some of the rental aircraft around at other places are tatty beyond belief!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: paris
Age: 51
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
naples air center
Hello there!
I plan to do 60 hours building this summer (first half of july), and it seems that no one has tried naples air center isn't it? Their time building ideas seems very interesting (florida - california return).
If any one is interested, I think it could be great to make a "hour building patrol"!
Will
I plan to do 60 hours building this summer (first half of july), and it seems that no one has tried naples air center isn't it? Their time building ideas seems very interesting (florida - california return).
If any one is interested, I think it could be great to make a "hour building patrol"!
Will
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nobody mentions Naples for hour building as historically they were much pricier than any other FTO and also there were threads of disgruntled people that couldn't get their hands on aircraft as planned due to them being required for training purposes.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: paris
Age: 51
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for information about naples, maybe I'll find another company 
I currently have a PPL, 110Hrs, and a "patrol" may be a proof of my poor english
I ment flying 2 planes together from florida to California and return, to share experience during the trip.
I currently have a PPL, 110Hrs, and a "patrol" may be a proof of my poor english
I ment flying 2 planes together from florida to California and return, to share experience during the trip.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its a great idea the only drawback being that if you rent aircraft from an FTO that specialises in training and has a high demand for the aircraft then more than likely they won't want you to take the aircraft away for extended periods. Often you will get an hour here and an hour there and not a full day which can drag out things for you. Hence why you might want to grab one of the flying magazines and target a place that focusses on hour builders.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: on top
Age: 44
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi guys, I did my hour building with Dean International in Miami last July, nothing much to say about the school, all was agreed before I left europe, number of hours, price, fuel expenses, and I had no nasty surprises, I initialy wanted to do the round trip Florida-California, I planed every stop and submited my route to the chief pilot, but because I did not held any mountain certificate, I was restricted to 3000ft ground elevation, I planed a new route going to texas then north to rapid city then east to chicago and back down, I spent a lot of time planing before I left europe, fuel prices/landing taxes/hotel/free transportation were the main constraints.
I extensively used the Airnav.com website.
As for the high demand for the aircraft by the school well.. all was agreed months before and we were told to do a minimum of 4Hrs a day.
If you're interested in my trip, have a look here
happy flying !
I extensively used the Airnav.com website.
As for the high demand for the aircraft by the school well.. all was agreed months before and we were told to do a minimum of 4Hrs a day.
If you're interested in my trip, have a look here
happy flying !
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: paris
Age: 51
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its a great idea the only drawback being that if you rent aircraft from an FTO that specialises in training and has a high demand for the aircraft then more than likely they won't want you to take the aircraft away for extended periods. Often you will get an hour here and an hour there and not a full day which can drag out things for you. Hence why you might want to grab one of the flying magazines and target a place that focusses on hour builders.
I will contact sunstate and others, if anyone has other suggestions based on past experience.... thanks in advance!
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OuiOui Give me a call here in the states I have spoken to a couple of guys at the airfield where I work and they will let you take their airplane for hourbuilding.+1 303 594 1001 Please remember I am GMT -8.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hour building in California
I'm going to California in september to do hour building in Californa and have been looking for flying schools on the internert.
I've come across few like UKFT and Rainbow Air to do my hour building. Are they really so horrible like some people are saying here on pprune?? And can you recommend with flying schools where i can do my hour building(preferable in Long Beach)??
I've come across few like UKFT and Rainbow Air to do my hour building. Are they really so horrible like some people are saying here on pprune?? And can you recommend with flying schools where i can do my hour building(preferable in Long Beach)??
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Uk
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try Anglo American in SanDiego. Did my Hour building there last October.. Excellent setup, great school, airfield and accomodation. Couldn't fault it. Easy to fly up the west coast and across to LasVegas and Phoenix. Well worth it in my opinion
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Van Nuys Flight Centre
Hi there, I have just returned from a sales trip to the USA and I did some hours at Van Nuys Flight Centre, Van Nuys. In my opinion professional setup, nice airport, lots of traffic and excellent weather conditions.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dublin Ireland
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have a look at Anglo American but be aware there was 40 odd students from India there in January and it was tough getting a plane at a decent hour.
Good place to fly, good instructors, sound management and very good value
Good place to fly, good instructors, sound management and very good value
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ireland
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
uKFT/rainbowair
I went to ukft/rainbowair and yes they are as bad as you have heard has to be seen to be realy belived.
TRY ANGLECITY FLYERS OR LONGBEACH FLYING CLUB OR TEMPCO
TRY ANGLECITY FLYERS OR LONGBEACH FLYING CLUB OR TEMPCO
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hour Building USA
I was looking for somewhere to go in the states and found this guy online, has anybody used him for hour building.
His site seems to have some good info on it.
Any comments ?
http://www.saturnaviation.com/index.html
His site seems to have some good info on it.
Any comments ?
http://www.saturnaviation.com/index.html
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hour Building in California
Have not come accross that guy, but I have just returned from California where I did my hour building with aviation pacific. I could not recommend them highly enough, they delivered what I asked for and exactly for the quoted price. When I was flying around California and Arizona I saw some really awful flying establishments and aircraft, so no matter where you go, try and get the lowdown from someone who has been recently!
If anyone wants more info then drop me a line.
Im now doing the CPL and the hour building seems a million miles away, it was a LOT of fun, enjoy it when you do it guys and girls!
If anyone wants more info then drop me a line.
Im now doing the CPL and the hour building seems a million miles away, it was a LOT of fun, enjoy it when you do it guys and girls!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London & NYC
Age: 42
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying in San Diego
Hello,
I have a JAA PPL and am going to be over in San Diego this summer and was hoping to do some flying.
I have read through this post and a few others regarding the process of converting JAA license to FAA. However given that many of the posts were written some time ago I was wondering if anyone who had been over to the states recently with a JAA license could just clarify if anything has changed regarding the process of converting to a FAA PPL and give me a rough idea of the potential time scales involved.
Also if anyone has done any flying in the San Diego area recently and has any recommendations for schools that would also be much appreciated!
Thanks very much.
I have a JAA PPL and am going to be over in San Diego this summer and was hoping to do some flying.
I have read through this post and a few others regarding the process of converting JAA license to FAA. However given that many of the posts were written some time ago I was wondering if anyone who had been over to the states recently with a JAA license could just clarify if anything has changed regarding the process of converting to a FAA PPL and give me a rough idea of the potential time scales involved.
Also if anyone has done any flying in the San Diego area recently and has any recommendations for schools that would also be much appreciated!
Thanks very much.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Dublin
Age: 43
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the license validation it's covered in a few places here. The only relatively new thing is a form that you have to send to the CAA so they will send a letter to the FAA to confirm your legit, costs you of course, think around 30 pounds. There's also a form you send to the FAA which you can get off their website. You have to nominate an FSDO office in the States to collect your validation from, there's one at Mongomery Field in San Diego. Once things are matched up in the States you get a letter from them. Then you make an appt to go in and get it sorted. Takes 20min. Everything from the FAA side is free, and you eventually get a shiny credit card style licence in the post (you get a temp one in the FSDO office thats good for 120 days until the plastic arrives). I'd advise you to do this all well in advance, they say it can take up to 90 days to process but with me it was much quicker. But still better to be safe unless you want to pay for an instructor to fly everywhere with you.
Hope that helps
Hope that helps
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Lancashire, United Kingdom
Age: 53
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am in the process of getting my licences and about to embark upon hour building in California. (I am also trying to write an idiots guide for all those who are following in my footsteps!) As joyful as it is to nav the FAA and CAA websires, I can't find the relevant forms for a JAA to FAA PPL. Can I have a steer?
Cheers!
Cheers!