here or there?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
here or there?
Hi all,
I am looking to go ppl-atpl, the trouble I have is this.
I was intending on going to the USA to do all of it, however having read lots on here I am lost.
There sems to be horror stories about even the CAA licensed schools, I know everyone has a view but this is really off putting.
I am now thinking of doing just my ppl in the USA and a little hours building, but where on earth do I begin.
Please don't say read the threads as I have tried and just gotten more confused having done so.
Is it best to do all in the UK, and if so do i do my PPL then IMC or ppl then straight into ATPL groundschool. I realise that this is a hugely personal thing but your views would help greatly.
Hope I am not asking too much.
Your.
Flydaddy.
P.S, I did some training ith AAA in California but was scared to death by the lack of structure to it all (seems beer means more) I am looking for somewhere not stick in the mud but not too booze orientated.
I am looking to go ppl-atpl, the trouble I have is this.
I was intending on going to the USA to do all of it, however having read lots on here I am lost.
There sems to be horror stories about even the CAA licensed schools, I know everyone has a view but this is really off putting.
I am now thinking of doing just my ppl in the USA and a little hours building, but where on earth do I begin.
Please don't say read the threads as I have tried and just gotten more confused having done so.
Is it best to do all in the UK, and if so do i do my PPL then IMC or ppl then straight into ATPL groundschool. I realise that this is a hugely personal thing but your views would help greatly.
Hope I am not asking too much.
Your.
Flydaddy.
P.S, I did some training ith AAA in California but was scared to death by the lack of structure to it all (seems beer means more) I am looking for somewhere not stick in the mud but not too booze orientated.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi flydaddy,
There are horror stories about every school no matter where it is I'm afraid. I've chosen to go State side for my hour build and CPL because although the cost saving after flights, accom etc isn't that great anymore the weather will probably be much better than in the UK. I did my PPL in Florida last year and you can stay in a flat near the airfield and live, eat, drink and breath flying for however many weeks you are there and get it all done in a short time compared to the UK.
It's all a trade-off really, depends on your own personal circumstances....
Good Luck,
Biscuit
There are horror stories about every school no matter where it is I'm afraid. I've chosen to go State side for my hour build and CPL because although the cost saving after flights, accom etc isn't that great anymore the weather will probably be much better than in the UK. I did my PPL in Florida last year and you can stay in a flat near the airfield and live, eat, drink and breath flying for however many weeks you are there and get it all done in a short time compared to the UK.
It's all a trade-off really, depends on your own personal circumstances....
Good Luck,
Biscuit
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the reply,
Can I ask where it is you went and are going again,
I would prefer stateside too but am worried that if I do all my flying thereI stand less chance of a job here, the reason for this is that I have read several times that airlines in europe prefer to hire pilots who have done more than usa flying.
Please keep the info coming.
Thanks.
Flydaddy.
Can I ask where it is you went and are going again,
I would prefer stateside too but am worried that if I do all my flying thereI stand less chance of a job here, the reason for this is that I have read several times that airlines in europe prefer to hire pilots who have done more than usa flying.
Please keep the info coming.
Thanks.
Flydaddy.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flydaddy and Biscuit,
Just as something to think about, although the weather in the UK can be much worse than the States for your PPL, you will most likely have to fly in it (proficiently!) eventually when you return (assuming you're from the UK, which I should have checked in your profile first!)
You may find it difficult if you havn't done anything other than sunny skies / 5 gusting 10 headwind throughout your PPL. This might cost you far more in your training later when getting your skills up to standard before the CPL.
Yes - the PPL is more expensive in the UK. Just make sure you factor in the added value from the more challenging boundary conditions.
Andy.
Just as something to think about, although the weather in the UK can be much worse than the States for your PPL, you will most likely have to fly in it (proficiently!) eventually when you return (assuming you're from the UK, which I should have checked in your profile first!)
You may find it difficult if you havn't done anything other than sunny skies / 5 gusting 10 headwind throughout your PPL. This might cost you far more in your training later when getting your skills up to standard before the CPL.
Yes - the PPL is more expensive in the UK. Just make sure you factor in the added value from the more challenging boundary conditions.
Andy.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Andy,
This has run through my mind, and I totally agree, it is no good learning in perfect conditions.
The trouble I am having is that I have tried one local school only to find that there was a lack of structure to everything. And sorry but when I am paying £100 or so per hour there should at least be this is place.
I always thought that our Country was one of organisation and structure, but frankley I have my doubts. Maybe it is this industry as a whole you tell me.
Sorry to sound slightly offish about the whole thing but I seem to keep hitting walls, and time is ticking as they say.
Thanks to you all.
Happy Landings.
Flydaddy.
This has run through my mind, and I totally agree, it is no good learning in perfect conditions.
The trouble I am having is that I have tried one local school only to find that there was a lack of structure to everything. And sorry but when I am paying £100 or so per hour there should at least be this is place.
I always thought that our Country was one of organisation and structure, but frankley I have my doubts. Maybe it is this industry as a whole you tell me.
Sorry to sound slightly offish about the whole thing but I seem to keep hitting walls, and time is ticking as they say.
Thanks to you all.
Happy Landings.
Flydaddy.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Flydaddy,
I do have to disagree with the comment a lot of people make about returning to the UK and finding it difficult to fly in our conditions.
I did my PPL in Florida earlier this year, and yes it was just a bit warmer !! than the UK, but I can guarantee that you wont be caught up in some of the storms i did there back in the UK. Also they seem to allow you to fly in stronger winds over there than what your instructor would allow over here, I feel that im better trained at landing in strong cross winds than most people who have trained in the UK.
My advise is to do your training in the US, not only is it half the price, its a nicer place to be and also you can have a laugh at the same time. And you dont have the worry of your lesson being canceled every weekend.
Hope this helps
I do have to disagree with the comment a lot of people make about returning to the UK and finding it difficult to fly in our conditions.
I did my PPL in Florida earlier this year, and yes it was just a bit warmer !! than the UK, but I can guarantee that you wont be caught up in some of the storms i did there back in the UK. Also they seem to allow you to fly in stronger winds over there than what your instructor would allow over here, I feel that im better trained at landing in strong cross winds than most people who have trained in the UK.
My advise is to do your training in the US, not only is it half the price, its a nicer place to be and also you can have a laugh at the same time. And you dont have the worry of your lesson being canceled every weekend.
Hope this helps
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: AMS
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
plenty pros and cons.
With plenty money, do it all in the UK. if money is an issue, why not look at other places in Europe or beyond? Do a cheap ICAO PPL, you will loose it if it is JAR once you upgrade to CPL.
The hour building before the CPL will get you back to speed before the CPL, which can be done in Turkey (under German JAA, they do Xcountries to Beirut, Cyprus, Tel Aviv...
), in Croatia (Lufthansa), plenty places in the Czech Republic, and all these places do the ATPL groundschool and flight instruction in English.
Plenty JAR places in Slovenia, Italy (newest member with mutual recognition), Spain..............
And at the end you get a JAR fATPL. If, after all that you still want a UK JAR licence, those chaps will be happy to take a few hundred quid.
The hour building before the CPL will get you back to speed before the CPL, which can be done in Turkey (under German JAA, they do Xcountries to Beirut, Cyprus, Tel Aviv...
), in Croatia (Lufthansa), plenty places in the Czech Republic, and all these places do the ATPL groundschool and flight instruction in English.Plenty JAR places in Slovenia, Italy (newest member with mutual recognition), Spain..............
And at the end you get a JAR fATPL. If, after all that you still want a UK JAR licence, those chaps will be happy to take a few hundred quid.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Elsewhere
Hi,
Thanks for your input Irish, does this mean you have gone this route or know someone who has.
If anyone else has please do have your say, all details are gratefully received.
I hope you all had a good Xmas, and have an even better New year.
Happy Landings.
Flydaddy.
Thanks for your input Irish, does this mean you have gone this route or know someone who has.
If anyone else has please do have your say, all details are gratefully received.
I hope you all had a good Xmas, and have an even better New year.
Happy Landings.
Flydaddy.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: AMS
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, have done so. Partly anyway:
Got an FAA PPL, then did Irish groundschool, added British FI in US, added Czech type rating.
Initial Medical + 4 times renewed in 4 different countries, NEVER in a JAR country.
Am currently outside JAR land, a colleague of mine flies a 737 here on a French JAA licence with a non-JAR 737 rating added to it. - Most JAR CAAs will add non - JAR ratings to their JAR licences (with some limitations), I believe the British do not.
I know the CAA LGW will accept all this, as I enquired personally a while ago.
PM me for anything specific. Hope this helps, IP.
Got an FAA PPL, then did Irish groundschool, added British FI in US, added Czech type rating.
Initial Medical + 4 times renewed in 4 different countries, NEVER in a JAR country.
Am currently outside JAR land, a colleague of mine flies a 737 here on a French JAA licence with a non-JAR 737 rating added to it. - Most JAR CAAs will add non - JAR ratings to their JAR licences (with some limitations), I believe the British do not.
I know the CAA LGW will accept all this, as I enquired personally a while ago.
PM me for anything specific. Hope this helps, IP.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: south africa
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
As said before, the states is not the only option. We are all probably confusing you even more but at the end of the day it is best to get as much info as possible. Have you considered South Africa for PPL and some hour building? The weather is good generally but you can get some really nasty thunderstorms and cross winds which will improve your flying skills. The training here is excellent and is more similar to the UK than the states is. Ive done my PPL here and some hour building and apart from one nasty experience with a JAA approved school, I have no complaints. Plane rental maybe more expensive here than in the states but once you factor in accomodation and living expenses it works out cheaper. Beer is also very cheap here. What more could one ask for.
Hope this helps
Ciao BL
As said before, the states is not the only option. We are all probably confusing you even more but at the end of the day it is best to get as much info as possible. Have you considered South Africa for PPL and some hour building? The weather is good generally but you can get some really nasty thunderstorms and cross winds which will improve your flying skills. The training here is excellent and is more similar to the UK than the states is. Ive done my PPL here and some hour building and apart from one nasty experience with a JAA approved school, I have no complaints. Plane rental maybe more expensive here than in the states but once you factor in accomodation and living expenses it works out cheaper. Beer is also very cheap here. What more could one ask for.
Hope this helps
Ciao BL
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sa
Hi,
Thanks for your views I did consider SA but have never actually fancied do it all there.
I have decided to got back to the USA as time is an issue for me.
Thanks one an all for your remarks they are ALL gratefully received and inwardly digested.
Hope you all have as great a 2005 as I intend to.
See you all in the sky.
Happy landings!
Flydaddy.
Thanks for your views I did consider SA but have never actually fancied do it all there.
I have decided to got back to the USA as time is an issue for me.
Thanks one an all for your remarks they are ALL gratefully received and inwardly digested.
Hope you all have as great a 2005 as I intend to.
See you all in the sky.
Happy landings!
Flydaddy.
