Hour building (USA)
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hello everyone!
are there any cheaper schools next to Miami or at Miami ?
I know Naples air center but it is on the west coast...
i ask that because I would not like to rent a car...
And I wonder an important thing :
are the FAA rules and JAA rules very different ?? is it difficult to fly in USA when we used to be fly under JAA rules.?
are there any cheaper schools next to Miami or at Miami ?
I know Naples air center but it is on the west coast...
i ask that because I would not like to rent a car...
And I wonder an important thing :
are the FAA rules and JAA rules very different ?? is it difficult to fly in USA when we used to be fly under JAA rules.?
Last edited by sam34; 30th Nov 2006 at 23:42.
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I can only speak of California as that's the only place I've flown in the US, but I can't recomend it enough.
I was based at a Flying school in San Diego.
Routes/places you can fly to from San Diego.
LA - Over the whole of LA including straight over LAX.
Las Vegas - 2.5 hours flight, straight over the desert. You can either fly into North Vegas airport or the one to the South. Both easy to get into, and if you get clearance from Vegas approach you can also fly down the strip ( unlikely though as v.busy!) Also you can out to Boulder city and then over the Hoover Dam and then the Grand Canyon.
Santa Baraba - about 2.5 hours flying and an amazing airport, great restaurant for lunch, and if you fancy a quick pop over the mountains to see Never never land..
Catalina - A small Island off the LA coast line about 1 hours flight. Amazing runway as it's on the top of a mountain that had it's top blown off to create the runway. The approach is over water to a cliff! Great for lunch and seeing wild Buffalo
Big Bear - Possibly one of the highest runways you'll ever fly to in a small plane. It's 8500ft and on the edge of a lake, totally unbelievable and the most breath taking experience..
Palm springs and Blyth - In the desert, very hot but loads of old war planes at Blyth.
Imperial - right next to the mexican boarder, and 3 miles from El Centro where the USAF train the Blue angels and have there bombing runs. Amazing to have f16 buzzing over you as you land.
Miramar - (TopGun) possibly the most famous airforce base in the world, 5 mins.. Steer well clear!! but if you get class B clearance which is pretty easy you can fly straight over it and watch the F16's take off and land.
Finally the Sandiego VFR corridor- Fly down the bay in Sandiego over the the depature end of Linderburgh and then see them practice aircraft carrier launches from the fixed base...
That should give you an easy 50 hours! I spent a month out there in October and loved it, plus the weather is pretty much guarenteed good !
If you want any more info feel free to Pm me.
I was based at a Flying school in San Diego.
Routes/places you can fly to from San Diego.
LA - Over the whole of LA including straight over LAX.
Las Vegas - 2.5 hours flight, straight over the desert. You can either fly into North Vegas airport or the one to the South. Both easy to get into, and if you get clearance from Vegas approach you can also fly down the strip ( unlikely though as v.busy!) Also you can out to Boulder city and then over the Hoover Dam and then the Grand Canyon.
Santa Baraba - about 2.5 hours flying and an amazing airport, great restaurant for lunch, and if you fancy a quick pop over the mountains to see Never never land..
Catalina - A small Island off the LA coast line about 1 hours flight. Amazing runway as it's on the top of a mountain that had it's top blown off to create the runway. The approach is over water to a cliff! Great for lunch and seeing wild Buffalo
Big Bear - Possibly one of the highest runways you'll ever fly to in a small plane. It's 8500ft and on the edge of a lake, totally unbelievable and the most breath taking experience..
Palm springs and Blyth - In the desert, very hot but loads of old war planes at Blyth.
Imperial - right next to the mexican boarder, and 3 miles from El Centro where the USAF train the Blue angels and have there bombing runs. Amazing to have f16 buzzing over you as you land.
Miramar - (TopGun) possibly the most famous airforce base in the world, 5 mins.. Steer well clear!! but if you get class B clearance which is pretty easy you can fly straight over it and watch the F16's take off and land.
Finally the Sandiego VFR corridor- Fly down the bay in Sandiego over the the depature end of Linderburgh and then see them practice aircraft carrier launches from the fixed base...
That should give you an easy 50 hours! I spent a month out there in October and loved it, plus the weather is pretty much guarenteed good !
If you want any more info feel free to Pm me.
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Hello wheresryan2
I echo littco's response. I spent a month in San Diego in August 2004. Did quite a few of the things listed in littco's post. Las Vagas and the Grand Canyon was an incredible experience. I also took a PA28 off for a 10 day trip. Went north and based myself just outside San Francisco. I stayed with friends there and went on day trips out of Concord airport.
From there I went to :
Lake Tahoe - a spectacular flight over the 20 mile lake at 6500' with mountains at 8-11000' surrounding.
A VFR flight through the bay area, over the Golden Gate bridge and south along the coast all the way South to Santa Cruz.
Further north past Mount Shatna into Oregon. A long journey but incredable scenary. In fact, I believe I submitted that trip as my cross country qualifier for starting the CPL.
I racked up 90 hours in the month there and thoroughly enjoyed all of it.
Have a good one
GM
I echo littco's response. I spent a month in San Diego in August 2004. Did quite a few of the things listed in littco's post. Las Vagas and the Grand Canyon was an incredible experience. I also took a PA28 off for a 10 day trip. Went north and based myself just outside San Francisco. I stayed with friends there and went on day trips out of Concord airport.
From there I went to :
Lake Tahoe - a spectacular flight over the 20 mile lake at 6500' with mountains at 8-11000' surrounding.
A VFR flight through the bay area, over the Golden Gate bridge and south along the coast all the way South to Santa Cruz.
Further north past Mount Shatna into Oregon. A long journey but incredable scenary. In fact, I believe I submitted that trip as my cross country qualifier for starting the CPL.
I racked up 90 hours in the month there and thoroughly enjoyed all of it.
Have a good one
GM
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Florida
I went to Kissimmee in Florida and did 40 hours in March this year - to be honest, I wish I had went to the likes of California as the Florida landscape is the most featureless that I have ever come across, and unless you have a passion for lakes, swamps and the odd giant television transmitter, 2 weeks flying can bring a little boredom with it. However there were a few good trips.
I definetely advise flying down to Key West International in the Florida Keys and staying overnight. Great night life down there, especially when I went as it was Spring Break!!
Only thing, make sure you don't go near the military field to the north of the airport - you won't get a good reception! I flew down via Miami and spent the afternoon there, however all the executive airfields are in the suburbs and a taxi ride into town isn't cheap!!
Daytona International on the east coast was another good place. It is right beside the Nas Car track where 'Days of Thunder' was filmed (I feel a Tom Cruise theme is running in this thread) and Daytona beach is well worth checking out!
Try Clearwater airfield. It is stuck right bang in the middle of the Tampa suburbs and you can get an interesting SVFR clearance through the Tampa Intl overhead. Fly out along Tampa beach and check out Lakeland Regional on the way back towards Orlando. Great Ice Cream Sundays at the restaurant!
The only other place I think worth mentioning is Merrit Island. Not an exciting field by any stretch of the imagination, but as it sits just below the airspace surrounding Cape Canaveral, some interesting sights can be seen from 2000 feet.
Enjoy
I definetely advise flying down to Key West International in the Florida Keys and staying overnight. Great night life down there, especially when I went as it was Spring Break!!
Only thing, make sure you don't go near the military field to the north of the airport - you won't get a good reception! I flew down via Miami and spent the afternoon there, however all the executive airfields are in the suburbs and a taxi ride into town isn't cheap!!Daytona International on the east coast was another good place. It is right beside the Nas Car track where 'Days of Thunder' was filmed (I feel a Tom Cruise theme is running in this thread) and Daytona beach is well worth checking out!
Try Clearwater airfield. It is stuck right bang in the middle of the Tampa suburbs and you can get an interesting SVFR clearance through the Tampa Intl overhead. Fly out along Tampa beach and check out Lakeland Regional on the way back towards Orlando. Great Ice Cream Sundays at the restaurant!
The only other place I think worth mentioning is Merrit Island. Not an exciting field by any stretch of the imagination, but as it sits just below the airspace surrounding Cape Canaveral, some interesting sights can be seen from 2000 feet.
Enjoy
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Easy. 50hrs
Orlando-New York-Chicago-Salt Lake city-Las Vegas-San Diego-Dallas-Orlando.
Don't waste your time doing a few hours a day flying round the same bit of the states like every other boring sod, be bold and see america. I did this trip and had some great nights out along the way.
(Tip- go to small airports, great service from FBOs, hotel discounts and free car hire)
Orlando-New York-Chicago-Salt Lake city-Las Vegas-San Diego-Dallas-Orlando.
Don't waste your time doing a few hours a day flying round the same bit of the states like every other boring sod, be bold and see america. I did this trip and had some great nights out along the way.
(Tip- go to small airports, great service from FBOs, hotel discounts and free car hire)
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Easy. 50hrs
Orlando-New York-Chicago-Salt Lake city-Las Vegas-San Diego-Dallas-Orlando.
Don't waste your time doing a few hours a day flying round the same bit of the states like every other boring sod, be bold and see america. I did this trip and had some great nights out along the way.
(Tip- go to small airports, great service from FBOs, hotel discounts and free car hire)
Orlando-New York-Chicago-Salt Lake city-Las Vegas-San Diego-Dallas-Orlando.
Don't waste your time doing a few hours a day flying round the same bit of the states like every other boring sod, be bold and see america. I did this trip and had some great nights out along the way.
(Tip- go to small airports, great service from FBOs, hotel discounts and free car hire)
I am only just getting used to the American culture of people not saying thankyou when you hold a door open for someone but maybe thats just isolated to my area.
I'd like to travel the usa in a light plane, that would be sweet.
anyone been to katmandu or VNLK or was it VNKT
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No its normal, Americans don't really hold the doors open for other people, so when you do it for them, they think your a bit strange 
its just their culture.
Usually when you hire aircraft in the USA they like you to take it for a minimum of 5 hours per day. This does vary, but there is always a minimum per day.
its just their culture. Usually when you hire aircraft in the USA they like you to take it for a minimum of 5 hours per day. This does vary, but there is always a minimum per day.
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Air Orlando Aviation .. Hour building
Hi all,
I'm looking at maybe flying a Cirrus as part of my hour building and I've just found this place in Orlando that offers training to this a/c and other a/c types. Flying the Cirrus in the UK is expensive, as well as the training course, so this seemed a good alternative; but still enabling me to do the odd flight in one here in the UK.
http://www.flyairorlando.com
They also have DA40's, which is what I currently fly in the UK, alongside the PA28.
Has anyone done any flying with this company and would you recommend them for a/c hire and a Cirrus conversion course?
Cheers
Cirrus
I'm looking at maybe flying a Cirrus as part of my hour building and I've just found this place in Orlando that offers training to this a/c and other a/c types. Flying the Cirrus in the UK is expensive, as well as the training course, so this seemed a good alternative; but still enabling me to do the odd flight in one here in the UK.
http://www.flyairorlando.com
They also have DA40's, which is what I currently fly in the UK, alongside the PA28.
Has anyone done any flying with this company and would you recommend them for a/c hire and a Cirrus conversion course?
Cheers
Cirrus
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Decent enough outfit of of ORL. Would recommend them. They have a VERY young fleet. Brand spanking new places....and they have quite a few cirrus aircraft. Bit pricy, but you get what you pay for. A pro-outfit...... not the kinda place to go on a budget - but if you've got a little cash then out of all the places in Central Florida, I'd recommend this place.
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Morning prunes,
anyone care to comment on Naples Air Centre for hour building, as compared wioth say, OFT?
Please feel free to PM if ya want, thanks once again to one and all,
Happy landings
Bigals
anyone care to comment on Naples Air Centre for hour building, as compared wioth say, OFT?
Please feel free to PM if ya want, thanks once again to one and all,
Happy landings
Bigals
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To be honest, don't go with these big JAR schools for hours building only, they don't care too much about hirers. I went with Sunstate Aviation in Kissimmee last year, and they were fantastic. They gave me a plane for a week and I could do with it as I pleased so i did the big tour of Florida, gained 25 hours and had a great time. Was more of a holiday experience but it also added to the 100 hrs P1. They weren't the cheapest but they were fantastic and helpful in every way.
What you need to do is navigate without GPS, as this is entirely legal in the US for primary navigation, keep within the tolerances of the CPL in terms of height keeping and heading and fly the long way round to places keeping out of controlled airspace. ATC were so helpful they found it odd that I wanted to route around the class B instead of through it! Enjoy it and remember you don't have to go to a JAR school for hours building, as you have to have a US licence based on your UK licence to fly in the US anyway.
Choice is yours but it won't matter a bean who you hours build with in the US. As long as you save money. Florida is a boring place to fly though. Don't overfly Lake Okeechobee either, especially in a single engine, I didn't realise at the time it has one of the highest concentration of gators in FL. Had I had an engine failure I'd have been lunch!
What you need to do is navigate without GPS, as this is entirely legal in the US for primary navigation, keep within the tolerances of the CPL in terms of height keeping and heading and fly the long way round to places keeping out of controlled airspace. ATC were so helpful they found it odd that I wanted to route around the class B instead of through it! Enjoy it and remember you don't have to go to a JAR school for hours building, as you have to have a US licence based on your UK licence to fly in the US anyway.
Choice is yours but it won't matter a bean who you hours build with in the US. As long as you save money. Florida is a boring place to fly though. Don't overfly Lake Okeechobee either, especially in a single engine, I didn't realise at the time it has one of the highest concentration of gators in FL. Had I had an engine failure I'd have been lunch!
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Hours Building - Visa/TSA
Hi,
Does anyone know what paperwork is required for hours building in USA, eg. Visa, Visa + TSA or just TSA? (I am not sure) I am intending on doing 50 hours SEP.
thanks,
BGP
Does anyone know what paperwork is required for hours building in USA, eg. Visa, Visa + TSA or just TSA? (I am not sure) I am intending on doing 50 hours SEP.
thanks,
BGP
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Florida Aviation Career training in St Augustine
Hi All,
Has anyone been to Florida Aviation Career Training in St Augustine, Florida.
I'm thinking of going there to do a few hours. Their rental prices seem to be quite good. Their accomodation prices also seem to be ok although they're about 3 miles away.
I may stay with a friend who works relatively close to the airport, hence the reason I thinking about going there.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Cheers.
RB
Has anyone been to Florida Aviation Career Training in St Augustine, Florida.
I'm thinking of going there to do a few hours. Their rental prices seem to be quite good. Their accomodation prices also seem to be ok although they're about 3 miles away.
I may stay with a friend who works relatively close to the airport, hence the reason I thinking about going there.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Cheers.
RB
Last edited by RoosterBooster; 18th Mar 2007 at 21:07.
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Hour building in California . . .
. . . recommendations (no adverts!) please. . .
And before anyone asks, yes, I've done the research, poured through the sticky HB threads on this site, visited websites and fired off some enquiry emails.
Looking to do 50+ hours PA-28 time this August in California if possible. Preference for the San Diego area - looks nice, good base for seeing the sites/x-ctry flying, good weather (better by all accounts than SF - no fog) and as Mrs HW will be in tow, places to visit/things to do when she fancies a day off flying. Only downside I can see in San Diego is a lack of direct flights from the UK - all seem to go via NY, Dallas or Chicago.
Schools I'm looking at:
Anglo American (SD - email sent)
Rainbow Air (Long Beach)
California Flight Centre (Long Beach, but no PA-28s I think)
California Flight Academy (SD)
Universal Air (El Monte).
Any good reports on any of the above (or indeed elsewhere) greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
HW
And before anyone asks, yes, I've done the research, poured through the sticky HB threads on this site, visited websites and fired off some enquiry emails.
Looking to do 50+ hours PA-28 time this August in California if possible. Preference for the San Diego area - looks nice, good base for seeing the sites/x-ctry flying, good weather (better by all accounts than SF - no fog) and as Mrs HW will be in tow, places to visit/things to do when she fancies a day off flying. Only downside I can see in San Diego is a lack of direct flights from the UK - all seem to go via NY, Dallas or Chicago.
Schools I'm looking at:
Anglo American (SD - email sent)
Rainbow Air (Long Beach)
California Flight Centre (Long Beach, but no PA-28s I think)
California Flight Academy (SD)
Universal Air (El Monte).
Any good reports on any of the above (or indeed elsewhere) greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
HW
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san diego flying
Hi,
I am currently doing my ppl in san diego. Is there anyone else out here who knows a good place for hour building once I've finished my ppl? The school I'm currently at is very busy!
Thanks, Jon.
I am currently doing my ppl in san diego. Is there anyone else out here who knows a good place for hour building once I've finished my ppl? The school I'm currently at is very busy!
Thanks, Jon.
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id reccomend heading east to phoenix. go sooner rather than later as it gets hot as hell over there from late april on! really good flying, can make it as busy or as quiet as you like. for example- potter over the desert to tucson or tackle the bravo transition over sky harbor. maybe valley ralley. touch and go at all the airpots round the city! great fun. reccomend flight safety in glendale. very good.guaranteed sunshine everyday unless you go there in august/september
geoff
geoff
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Airline Flights to San Diego
Hi HW,
this might be slightly off topic, but nevertheless, instead of booking a flight to San Diego through some other place, just book one to Los Angeles and drive down. A one way rental for a day with drop-offin San Diego will be 50-70 USD depending on rental agent and season( same thing to get back to LAX) and the drive is very pleasant.
Enjoy the experience, flying in CA is one of the best experiences i ever had. Since it's been a few years back for me, I can't comment on schools, the world (and prices) has changed after 911...
Happy Landings,
KA
this might be slightly off topic, but nevertheless, instead of booking a flight to San Diego through some other place, just book one to Los Angeles and drive down. A one way rental for a day with drop-offin San Diego will be 50-70 USD depending on rental agent and season( same thing to get back to LAX) and the drive is very pleasant.
Enjoy the experience, flying in CA is one of the best experiences i ever had. Since it's been a few years back for me, I can't comment on schools, the world (and prices) has changed after 911...
Happy Landings,
KA