Training in the USA (incl Florida!)

[acebk]

Thanks for the reply. Im not actually looking for the cheapest, but at a good price.

What did u do at Angel City Flyers and how much did it cost?

I did some research and found Rainbow Air and Angel City Flyers.

Which is cheaper in doing what i want?

Thanks

[Lightheart]

ACF

Did FAA PPL, IR and CPL/ME in 4.5 months. Can't remember how much it cost because it was almost 2 yrs ago.

Prices would have gone up now, especially as they have glass cockpit sim and a/c.

Training is first rate as the owner has done JAA ATPL and FAA ATP.

Rainbow Air and ACF use the same aircraft but the instructors are different.

Best bet is to contact them and ask for a quote. Good place to train because of differing terrain CA has to offer and the airspace is very busy.

[acebk]

Thanks a lot Lightheart. Think im gonna narrow it down to these 2 schools. They seem great, I got a quote from Rainbow and they said it wud be abt 38000US. Ill try and see what ACF will quote me.

[msm]

Dean International Inc.?

Hi!! Does someone has info on this School at Tamiami Airport? I am looking to do all my Ratings in there, i visited the school and talk to the ownwer which was very nice, he took me on a Golf car to see all the airplanes the school had, i also talk with some instrcutors and they were cool I think it is a good school, what are your thoughts?

Marcelo

[Foxcow]

Deno,


I used to be a flight instructor for Naples Air Center. If you would like the real scoop, please PM me.

[ken0311]

hi, i tried to go to the naples air centre website but can't seem to get in...anyone have the same problem? i've been to it before but now can't go back in...

[Gav28]

Arriving in the US

If possible could anyone shed any light on the US immigration process once you arrive at the US destination airport with an M1 visa for flight training.

I'm a british citizen going over to OFT in a few weeks and have my visa, TSA approval etc but i've heard i could still have a tough time going through immigration, is it true they will hold me at the airport until they ring the flight school to confirm?(could be a problem as unfortunately I have to arrive on a sunday evening when there will prob be no admin staff at the school).
Any comments or advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Sid78]

How is Delta Connection Academy in Florida

Any ideas about Delta Connection Academy? They seem to have a good program.

Cheers,
Sid.

[ken0311]

Anyone heard of CAPT Program or Bel Air Flight schools?

I'm looking to take up flying as my career and was wondering if any of you guys out there have heard of the CAPT Program in Florida and a flight school called Bel Air International in California. I already hold a PPL(A) from Australia and was thinking of going all the way to get a Frozen ATPL. I'm really just looking around the get some information on flight schools in the US so if you can recommend me some, I will appreciate it!

Cheers guys!

[Congested Airspace]

gav28..

There is always a possibility that US Immigration will hold you up at he airport. Have your facts straight and your paperwork in good order (visa as well as TSA and admissions stuff from the school). Contact the school ahead of time and secure a mobile or home number for a member of the staff that will be able to confirm your status. If you have this together, your wait time at immigration will be minimized.

[chrisyross]

Does anyone know if when a flight school say they will pay your visa if its just the initial fee or all the charges associated with getting the visa?

[CPLORBUST]

OFT

Went to see them yesterday, very profesional looking outfit. Not that cheap, but they do tick all the boxes!! I know two people who have trained with them, no complaimts so far!!!!!!!

[geordiejet]

I think this varies from school to school - the one I am going to *includes* all visa charges (except travel to interview), whereas my schools competitor did not include it and you had to cost this on top. Remember, there is no such thing as a free meal! It may say it is free, but somewhere along the line you will be paying for it. So again (and no doubt i'll be told I don't know what I am talking about) - look at the small print, do your research, and don't be taken in by marketing machines.

Good Luck!

[Gav28]

Congested Airspace....Thanks for the advice.

[chrisyross]

Thanks

Quite a few Florida schools seem to say visa included but when i was checking the details all I could find was the fact that they paid the initial fee.

Which school are you going to?

[Mountain.View]

Naples

Foxcow

Thinking along the same lines as Deno. Would it be okay if I sent you PM as well

[FLYPINTU]

oft

any suggestion about orlando flight center,florida...i want to do my cpl+MER.........HOWS THE TRAINING THERE.......please post your views

[Airbus Girl]

An interesting thread. I, like many I know, did the FAA licences and converted to JAA. It was much cheaper than doing JAA in this country. I went from flying a Cherokee to flying an Airbus for a UK airline after training in the US. I did a conversion from FAA m/e PPL with single engine IR to CAA multi IR in under 10 hours.

As for the myth that airlines don't want pilots who've trained abroad, well, lets think about this. If you train in the UK its likely to be at a tinpot airfield with lots of training traffic. If you train in the US you are likely to get a lot of experience mixing with airline traffic, flying into major airports that airlines use, flying at all sorts of altitudes, to airports in all sorts of terrain (well perhaps not in Florida!). Once working for an airline you will spend the first 30 minutes of your day going from a very busy airport, talking to a very busy ATC, following their instructions, and getting out of the country. The rest of the day will be spent flying, yes, abroad. Hmm, I wonder what experience airlines would prefer? If you have plenty of night, instrument, cross country time in busy airspace, flying into international airports I reckon thats more relevant than doing 50 circuits at a grass strip.

As for flying in the USA, I have flown all over and although Florida is OK, you will get bored very very quickly if you are hour building. California has a great variety of airspace, airports and terrain and you will learn loads. Alternatively you could train in Florida then hire a plane and fly across to California, gaining experience of the different states on the way.

[RedLiner]

I quite agree. I did most of my training in the San Francisco Bay Area and loved it. However you need to consider a slightly higher cost of living around most of CA.

RL

[WannabeDan]

Flight Training in USA

Hey guys,

I'm looking at training for my CPL at Riverside Flight Centre in Oklahoma.
Has anyone been there or heard anything about it??
They have been recommended by a pilot friend but just wondered what the rest of you guys think.
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated as ever!!
Feel free to PM me with any help or just reply to this thread if you can.

Cheers

WannabeDan