Training in the USA (incl Florida!)
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Good school in Florida
Hi All
I'm planning on going to the US to do a FAA Validation my foreign license (South African Comm) later this year.
I've come across many schools on the net but can any body please recommend a good school in Florida to do an accelerated course.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mal
I'm planning on going to the US to do a FAA Validation my foreign license (South African Comm) later this year.
I've come across many schools on the net but can any body please recommend a good school in Florida to do an accelerated course.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mal
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OFT in Orlando are good if you can manage yourself and determine what you need to do and then get on with it (self directed with your effort setting the tone)
If you need to be spoonfed then they are probably not so good
If you need to be spoonfed then they are probably not so good
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Hi All
I'm planning on going to the US to do a FAA Validation my foreign license (South African Comm) later this year.
I've come across many schools on the net but can any body please recommend a good school in Florida to do an accelerated course.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mal
I'm planning on going to the US to do a FAA Validation my foreign license (South African Comm) later this year.
I've come across many schools on the net but can any body please recommend a good school in Florida to do an accelerated course.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mal
Good Luck. Stay away from the Jaa schools!
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A very well educated comment Baboon Boy, I assume your user name was not hard to create.
What experience do you have of the CAA approved FTO's in Florida. From what I understand the CAA standards are the same in the UK as they are in the US.
What experience do you have of the CAA approved FTO's in Florida. From what I understand the CAA standards are the same in the UK as they are in the US.
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Training in Florida...
Hi all,
Im currently 16 and i have decided for definate that i want to become a pilot for my career. I originally wanted to join the RAF however i decided that the RAF wouldnt be the best lifestyle for me.
I have been told that pilot training in America is almost exactly the same as in England however it is much cheaper and they have a lot more days of flying over there due to the weather (depending on which state).
I have chosen Florida to be the place i wish to train due to they supposedly have 360 flying days each year and also it seems a nice place to live in Deland and other personal reasons.
I want to start my training as soon as i am 17 as this is when i am able to get my PPL howeveri dont know if i can get a loan to begin training at this age.
I also want to do my training almost like an education, i would like it so i spend half of my week training as a pilot and the other half working so i can get some money.
There are just a few questions i wish to be answered if anybody knows about these issues:
1. Are there any implications of being trained in America? (different licenses etc.)
2. Am i able to get a VISA at 17 in America? or a working VISA or something similar for my training.
3. Does anybody know of a company in Florida are good for training with? (I want to go with a good flight school)
4. Is there anyway i am able to get a loan at 17? Are there special companies that help with this? e.g i dont begin paying the loan back until i finish my training.
5. What is the average cost of being trained in the UK and being trained in USA?
6. How long would it take from going from no license to a full professional license ready to join an airline company if i was training 3-4 days per week.
7. And finally does anybody recognise these companies? If so please can you give some feedback on them
good, bad anything is helpful.
-www.RAAFlightSchools.com (Florida School)
-www.PEA.com
-www.AmericanAviation.com
Any comments or help with this would be great, i am 17 im 7 months so i need to start getting things sorted out as soon as i can
Thanks.
Ste.
Im currently 16 and i have decided for definate that i want to become a pilot for my career. I originally wanted to join the RAF however i decided that the RAF wouldnt be the best lifestyle for me.
I have been told that pilot training in America is almost exactly the same as in England however it is much cheaper and they have a lot more days of flying over there due to the weather (depending on which state).
I have chosen Florida to be the place i wish to train due to they supposedly have 360 flying days each year and also it seems a nice place to live in Deland and other personal reasons.
I want to start my training as soon as i am 17 as this is when i am able to get my PPL howeveri dont know if i can get a loan to begin training at this age.
I also want to do my training almost like an education, i would like it so i spend half of my week training as a pilot and the other half working so i can get some money.
There are just a few questions i wish to be answered if anybody knows about these issues:
1. Are there any implications of being trained in America? (different licenses etc.)
2. Am i able to get a VISA at 17 in America? or a working VISA or something similar for my training.
3. Does anybody know of a company in Florida are good for training with? (I want to go with a good flight school)
4. Is there anyway i am able to get a loan at 17? Are there special companies that help with this? e.g i dont begin paying the loan back until i finish my training.
5. What is the average cost of being trained in the UK and being trained in USA?
6. How long would it take from going from no license to a full professional license ready to join an airline company if i was training 3-4 days per week.
7. And finally does anybody recognise these companies? If so please can you give some feedback on them
good, bad anything is helpful.-www.RAAFlightSchools.com (Florida School)
-www.PEA.com
-www.AmericanAviation.com
Any comments or help with this would be great, i am 17 im 7 months so i need to start getting things sorted out as soon as i can
Thanks.
Ste.
Last edited by Ste1337; 31st Jan 2007 at 18:45.
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Iv been looking around the forums since i made this thread and currently still reading info its just sometimes nicer and quicker to get a direct answer in this thread so please no more "go read the other threads" posts
thanks
thanks
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1. Are there any implications of being trained in America? (different licenses etc.)
You can either choose to do your JAA licences in the USA (Not including the IR) or do the FAA licenses then convert them to JAA.
My personal opinion is to do the FAA licenses first at a FAA flight school, not the schools that provide JAA, they tend to be more expensive.
2. Am i able to get a VISA at 17 in America? or a working VISA or something similar for my training.
I don't know, try the US embassy website.
3. Does anybody know of a company in Florida are good for training with? (I want to go with a good flight school)
There are flight schools all over the USA, the best ones probably arnt in Florida, but I think Flight Safety Academy is suppost to be the best (also most expensive)
Best thing to do is get a list of schools that you would like to attend, and search for reviews on pprune, or jetcareers.com is usually better for FAA schools.
4. Is there anyway i am able to get a loan at 17? Are there special companies that help with this? e.g i dont begin paying the loan back until i finish my training.
You need to speek to a bank for this, I doubt you can though. Banks would usually look to see if you have something else to fall back on to, i.e. other work experience or qualifications. Since you are 17, you wont have any, other than GCSE's.
My advise would be go to college, get a job and get some life / work (money) experience behind you. When you're 21 - 22 start your flight training.
5. What is the average cost of being trained in the UK and being trained in USA?
UK - Integrated £60,000 - £80,000
Modular £35,000 - £55,000
USA - Modular £20,000 - £30,000
6. How long would it take from going from no license to a full professional license ready to join an airline company if i was training 3-4 days per week.
If you train in the USA, you will be training 6 days per week. 7 days if you include your own ground studies too (theres no time off) I'd says 18 months, including your ATPLS too.
7. And finally does anybody recognise these companies? If so please can you give some feedback on them good, bad anything is helpful.
I cant personally say anything about these schools as I havent been to them, but do a search theres loads of reviews.
You can either choose to do your JAA licences in the USA (Not including the IR) or do the FAA licenses then convert them to JAA.
My personal opinion is to do the FAA licenses first at a FAA flight school, not the schools that provide JAA, they tend to be more expensive.
2. Am i able to get a VISA at 17 in America? or a working VISA or something similar for my training.
I don't know, try the US embassy website.
3. Does anybody know of a company in Florida are good for training with? (I want to go with a good flight school)
There are flight schools all over the USA, the best ones probably arnt in Florida, but I think Flight Safety Academy is suppost to be the best (also most expensive)
Best thing to do is get a list of schools that you would like to attend, and search for reviews on pprune, or jetcareers.com is usually better for FAA schools.
4. Is there anyway i am able to get a loan at 17? Are there special companies that help with this? e.g i dont begin paying the loan back until i finish my training.
You need to speek to a bank for this, I doubt you can though. Banks would usually look to see if you have something else to fall back on to, i.e. other work experience or qualifications. Since you are 17, you wont have any, other than GCSE's.
My advise would be go to college, get a job and get some life / work (money) experience behind you. When you're 21 - 22 start your flight training.
5. What is the average cost of being trained in the UK and being trained in USA?
UK - Integrated £60,000 - £80,000
Modular £35,000 - £55,000
USA - Modular £20,000 - £30,000
6. How long would it take from going from no license to a full professional license ready to join an airline company if i was training 3-4 days per week.
If you train in the USA, you will be training 6 days per week. 7 days if you include your own ground studies too (theres no time off) I'd says 18 months, including your ATPLS too.
7. And finally does anybody recognise these companies? If so please can you give some feedback on them good, bad anything is helpful.
I cant personally say anything about these schools as I havent been to them, but do a search theres loads of reviews.
Professional Student
"Sorry, can't be bothered to go check the flying order book/weather/POH etc, it's nicer and quicker to get a direct answer, so please no more "go read the manual" answers".
Those threads are there for a reason mate, especially the stickies! Strongly suggest you read them.
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My personal opinion is to do the FAA licenses first at a FAA flight school, not the schools that provide JAA, they tend to be more expensive.
Also every student I know, bar one, ended up spending significantly more money doing it the FAA > JAA way than just doing it the JAA way; and we're talking near the top end of 4 figures stirling here.
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training in florida
hi guys,
I am also planning to take my training in florida.
can you tell me which school are very well reputed, as it is hard for me to get the full picture of how good the schools are by just looking at their website.
are there any schools that you recommend, those that are not so expensive and provide good trainings.
thanks a lot.
haile
I am also planning to take my training in florida.
can you tell me which school are very well reputed, as it is hard for me to get the full picture of how good the schools are by just looking at their website.
are there any schools that you recommend, those that are not so expensive and provide good trainings.
thanks a lot.
haile
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Training in the USA (incl Florida)
Were there any additional costs that you incurred that were unexpected?
How much did the entire prog set you back by?
I've checked out the cost on the website and its a little unbelievable..
Am looking around for a good school.. will be startin from ZERO... currently emplyed as a flight attendant..
Jus waiting for a Class 1 date and then will start the ball rolling..
Any addtl info you can provide on Aviator will be appreciated..
How much did the entire prog set you back by?
I've checked out the cost on the website and its a little unbelievable..
Am looking around for a good school.. will be startin from ZERO... currently emplyed as a flight attendant..
Jus waiting for a Class 1 date and then will start the ball rolling..
Any addtl info you can provide on Aviator will be appreciated..
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Flight School California for CPL
Hi guys, do you know any good school in California (Los Angeles area) where I can seriously get my FAA CPL and ME rating? I need an intensive course, max 1 month staying. Thanks a lot
79 schools in California; take your pick:
http://www.bestaviation.net/flight_s...california.asp
http://www.bestaviation.net/flight_s...california.asp
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Just a quick word for all you considering training in the USA.
The FAA professional licences are NOT good for Europe.
To work in the US you will need a green card (if you are not American or Canadian of course) and you WONT get that by being a pilot.
Assuming you can legally work in the US then employers generally ask a lot more hours than in the UK. It is possible to get a First Officer job in UK with a few hunderd hours and CPL - the Americans can only dream of this. ATPL is the minimum for anything except instructing.
It is a LOT cheaper than the UK, but add up the real costs. You will need accomadation and transport. In the UK you can be based at home (generally)
All non US citizens need to get security clearance for aviation training in the US see https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/ and you will also need an M1 Student Visa or J1 Visa if you are going to spend time instructing following your training - however you are limited to working time after training see http://www.uscis.gov Allow extra finances and time to get all this in place. You also need to go to and approved flight school and cannot change training providers.
If you have certain problems - mine is colour vision, then the US is good as they will test you practically and if you pass give you a SODA waiver (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) see colour blindness in medical forum.
I did my PPL in the US and found it great. It cost a lot less than the UK. I have my SODA waiver, the weather and general attitude to aviation is great and if I could only use an FAA professional licence in the UK then I would be there now.
Keep your wits about you though and don't give large deposits up front. A lot of US flight schools go bust - get references etc.
The FAA professional licences are NOT good for Europe.
To work in the US you will need a green card (if you are not American or Canadian of course) and you WONT get that by being a pilot.
Assuming you can legally work in the US then employers generally ask a lot more hours than in the UK. It is possible to get a First Officer job in UK with a few hunderd hours and CPL - the Americans can only dream of this. ATPL is the minimum for anything except instructing.
It is a LOT cheaper than the UK, but add up the real costs. You will need accomadation and transport. In the UK you can be based at home (generally)
All non US citizens need to get security clearance for aviation training in the US see https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/ and you will also need an M1 Student Visa or J1 Visa if you are going to spend time instructing following your training - however you are limited to working time after training see http://www.uscis.gov Allow extra finances and time to get all this in place. You also need to go to and approved flight school and cannot change training providers.
If you have certain problems - mine is colour vision, then the US is good as they will test you practically and if you pass give you a SODA waiver (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) see colour blindness in medical forum.
I did my PPL in the US and found it great. It cost a lot less than the UK. I have my SODA waiver, the weather and general attitude to aviation is great and if I could only use an FAA professional licence in the UK then I would be there now.
Keep your wits about you though and don't give large deposits up front. A lot of US flight schools go bust - get references etc.
You also need to go to and approved flight school and cannot change training providers.
Certainly not every school can issue the I-20 (visa application form).
A school needs to be CFR Part 141 certified before it can apply for visa approval.
Therefore "approved" school.
You definitely can change training providers.
If you do this within 6 months of entering the USA, you do not have to leave the country to get another visa.
If you need to change after 6 months you need to return to your country of origin with the new I-20 from the second school and apply for a new visa.
Schools are required to transfer you if you so request.
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Is North American training cheaper and worth it?
I've got my FAA PPL and am currently in the US. If I do end up deciding to go for a pilot career, would it be best I train in the US and try and look for jobs here, and if that doesn't work, convert to CAA and look in CAnada, and if that doesn't work, convert to JAA and go back to Europe?
I mean I hear ridiculous things like a Warrior costing 200 bucks/hour in UK or Germany, while u can get a Seneca for that price in US.
So for training and hour building, would it be best to get FAA licences and build hours and convert, even if there are little job prospects for foreigners in the US?
I mean I hear ridiculous things like a Warrior costing 200 bucks/hour in UK or Germany, while u can get a Seneca for that price in US.
So for training and hour building, would it be best to get FAA licences and build hours and convert, even if there are little job prospects for foreigners in the US?