PPL Training in Florida, September 2009
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Id seriously consider NZ myself, glad i decided to come here rather than the states, its as cheap, cost of living is at least half of the uk, yeah the flights to NZ a bit more expensive than USA, well its under £600. after seeing some of the sights here I wouldnt want to train anywhere else(apart from UK if the weather was more predictable!), just a personal opinion and it probably wouldnt suit anyone but for me its all good!
Join Date: Nov 2006
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just randomly had a look at the new zealand flying there. It seems to be a good option if you are hour building and have a PPL already...
Euro Flight International - Flight Training in New Zealand
16,000.00 NZD
=
6,850.29 EUR
16,000 NZD will get you 100 hours in a C150...
Definately a tempting option but I have to get my PPL(A) first!
Euro Flight International - Flight Training in New Zealand
16,000.00 NZD
=
6,850.29 EUR
16,000 NZD will get you 100 hours in a C150...
Definately a tempting option but I have to get my PPL(A) first!
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I need some professional help!
Hey Destinationsky and Backpacker
Thanks for the information.
Can anyone suggest me what to do. I am in like a really confused situation atm. I am finishing my A-levels this june and really don't know what to do next, I mean I applied for univeristy on "Aviation studies for commercial pilot" but unfortunately didn't get a place (because it was housefull) and I don't know if I should start my PPL or find a job and apply for a scholarship or re-apply in univeristy for next year.
Thanks for the information.
Can anyone suggest me what to do. I am in like a really confused situation atm. I am finishing my A-levels this june and really don't know what to do next, I mean I applied for univeristy on "Aviation studies for commercial pilot" but unfortunately didn't get a place (because it was housefull) and I don't know if I should start my PPL or find a job and apply for a scholarship or re-apply in univeristy for next year.
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Asianberry, that sort of questions can better be asked in the Professional Studies forum.
Still my two cents worth: In one of the latest editions of Flyer magazine there was an article about GAPAN aptitude tests or something like that. These are tests plus interviews that are delivered by professional pilot recruiters but are done *before* you commit any money into your professional pilot education. They will give you a reasonably good advise on whether you should pursue a commercial career or not.
You need to consider that becoming a professional pilot is something that's going to cost you around 100.000 euros in total, give or take, and at the end of that journey the only thing you are able to do is drive an aluminium tube from A to B. It's not a broad education like a university degree, so if you ever want or need to find a job outside flying an airplane, all you will have to show are your A-levels.
So jumping into such an education path based on the advice of a few anonymous guys (girls?) on an internet forum might not be the best idea.
Still my two cents worth: In one of the latest editions of Flyer magazine there was an article about GAPAN aptitude tests or something like that. These are tests plus interviews that are delivered by professional pilot recruiters but are done *before* you commit any money into your professional pilot education. They will give you a reasonably good advise on whether you should pursue a commercial career or not.
You need to consider that becoming a professional pilot is something that's going to cost you around 100.000 euros in total, give or take, and at the end of that journey the only thing you are able to do is drive an aluminium tube from A to B. It's not a broad education like a university degree, so if you ever want or need to find a job outside flying an airplane, all you will have to show are your A-levels.
So jumping into such an education path based on the advice of a few anonymous guys (girls?) on an internet forum might not be the best idea.
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Steve
Did my PPL at Ormond (OBA) and had a great time there - they do what they say they will do - no more, no less 
Sad to see they don't train on the Liberty anymore though - I think it is a great aircraft and a lot more fun than C152/PA28.
Be prepared to work hard and maintain a disciplined and professional attitude towards the school and the training and you'll have a great time.
Sad to see they don't train on the Liberty anymore though - I think it is a great aircraft and a lot more fun than C152/PA28.Be prepared to work hard and maintain a disciplined and professional attitude towards the school and the training and you'll have a great time.
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Hi Asianberry
the GAPAN aptitude test may be a good thing to try to see if you are suited to a career as a pilot. research all of the "sponsored" routes thoroughly and also look into the modular path where you do each stage in your own time. getting the funds will be the main issue i think (unless you have alot of savings!). even if you get on a sponsored course, you will still need to secure a loan against property. you can no longer get a secured loan for above £30k. speak to natwest/hsbc about loans etc if you want to go that route. all loan applications are considered on their own merits.
Try applying to CTC Wings also. even if you dont get accepted for the course, you will still do the PILAPT test and group excercises and get thorough feedback after. i know CTC and Oxford run open days where you can see the facilities and talk to real people as opposed to trawling the internet for hours. do not focus on one school, as i mentioned, DO YOUR RESEARCH!
even ask for trial flying lesson vouchers for birthdays/christmas etc and make sure you maintain a keen interest in all types of aviation, networking with people where possible. it all looks good on your applications! oh, and if you do the lessons, make sure you get a logbook so you can record your hours. they all count!
even try a few jobs out before you commit to a flying career. i have been out of school/college now for 8 years and i have tried 3 different jobs. although none of them are flying, i have experience of other industries. if anything, this time has reinforced my decision to become a pilot - i have tried other things and i now know all i want to do is fly!
Get yourself out there and dont give up. you may be rejected but make sure you bounce back!
the GAPAN aptitude test may be a good thing to try to see if you are suited to a career as a pilot. research all of the "sponsored" routes thoroughly and also look into the modular path where you do each stage in your own time. getting the funds will be the main issue i think (unless you have alot of savings!). even if you get on a sponsored course, you will still need to secure a loan against property. you can no longer get a secured loan for above £30k. speak to natwest/hsbc about loans etc if you want to go that route. all loan applications are considered on their own merits.
Try applying to CTC Wings also. even if you dont get accepted for the course, you will still do the PILAPT test and group excercises and get thorough feedback after. i know CTC and Oxford run open days where you can see the facilities and talk to real people as opposed to trawling the internet for hours. do not focus on one school, as i mentioned, DO YOUR RESEARCH!
even ask for trial flying lesson vouchers for birthdays/christmas etc and make sure you maintain a keen interest in all types of aviation, networking with people where possible. it all looks good on your applications! oh, and if you do the lessons, make sure you get a logbook so you can record your hours. they all count!
even try a few jobs out before you commit to a flying career. i have been out of school/college now for 8 years and i have tried 3 different jobs. although none of them are flying, i have experience of other industries. if anything, this time has reinforced my decision to become a pilot - i have tried other things and i now know all i want to do is fly!
Get yourself out there and dont give up. you may be rejected but make sure you bounce back!
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pprune is very good for info finding but be aware that there are alot of people on here who will fill you full of negativity. my advice, ignore them! i have felt very dis-heartened by alot of people on here but i have just gone with my instincts. you dont know till you try, and to date, i have had an offer from CTC. its only the money that is stopping me from joining CTC. i have found other ways to get where i want to be. do not give up.
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Trouble is with the 152 prices at around $6000 is the compulsary upgrade fee if you weigh more than 170lbs - which is 80% of the male population; so expect to have to pay the compulsary aircraft upgrade fee to the piper etc and of course, the accommodation and car - YOU will need a car in the USA - there is no public transport in Florida.
Make sure you compare every little cost from flying hours, to compulsary upgrade fees, accommodation cost, car rental, airport pickup.
Those who don't will find out the hard, and very expensive way that they did not do their research properly, that the cheapest price isn't the cheapest at all! (Having done so my self when 17
with my visit to OBA )
Make sure you compare every little cost from flying hours, to compulsary upgrade fees, accommodation cost, car rental, airport pickup.
Those who don't will find out the hard, and very expensive way that they did not do their research properly, that the cheapest price isn't the cheapest at all! (Having done so my self when 17
with my visit to OBA )
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Best wishes
Hey Destination,
Good to hear your going to go for it hopefully like myself when I take my trial flight in the summer, but just be very careful of the school you pick and such because at the end of the day its your hard earned savings.
Good Luck
Good to hear your going to go for it hopefully like myself when I take my trial flight in the summer, but just be very careful of the school you pick and such because at the end of the day its your hard earned savings.
Good Luck
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Florida Flyers don't appear to do JAA training unfortunately, or am I missing something?
Destinationsky- how much are you estimating it to cost at the moment for OBA? I've got:
Course fees: £3,961.38
Books/Equip: £200.00
TSA: £85.90
Embassy Interview: £70.00
Flights (GLA-Sanford) £340.00
Accomodation (28 nights): £536.55
Total: £5,193.83
Excluding
Food: £300?
Looking at September as well, might need to miss the first week back at uni.. what a terrible shame
Destinationsky- how much are you estimating it to cost at the moment for OBA? I've got:
Course fees: £3,961.38
Books/Equip: £200.00
TSA: £85.90
Embassy Interview: £70.00
Flights (GLA-Sanford) £340.00
Accomodation (28 nights): £536.55
Total: £5,193.83
Excluding
Food: £300?
Looking at September as well, might need to miss the first week back at uni.. what a terrible shame
Join Date: Dec 2008
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i am getting alot of positive feedback about naples so im seriously considering applying there
The place is run by Richard, his wife Nikki, and her mum Bea. They are sharks when it comes to money. Be VERY careful if you go there. Richard is extremelly patronising. Although that does not bother me, what does is his complete disregard for anything except the money they can take off you. They will be very accomodating on the phone, and give you a good vibe. They probably will be when you go there too. But be warned once there, service disappears.
I dont want to put you off, but think you should be forewarned of this place. I am surprised your search found alot of positive feedback. Most comments I have seen of NAC here on this forum seem to reflect my views and experience.
The only positives I can say of NAC (not from my experience) that I have heard from other friends who stayed and did ATPL theory there was that it was good, run by a good CGI. But this is run seprately to the flying and Richard and co do not have much if any influence on ATPL ground school. Again as I did not study ATPL there cannot speak from experience on that side of things.
In any case, wherever you go I am sure you will love the flying, and once you have the bug, you're hooked. Florida can be great fun, not too challenging, and wherever you decide to go in Fla, you should try make a flight to key west. Good fun.
Oh one last note, you better like cats, as their cats most definately take priority!
Best of luck
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Thanks Sweetchariot. i dont think i meant to write Naples. think i meant somebody else in the vicinity of Naples! i cant remember! Blonde moment!
OBA or EFT are my top two so far!
Thanks for the advice though, and for the record, i prefer dogs anyway!
OBA or EFT are my top two so far!
Thanks for the advice though, and for the record, i prefer dogs anyway!
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hey destinationsky
Haven't been on here in a long time and i've just been reading your post about training in the Florida.
I have just finished my ppl in OBA and firstly, yes what others have said is true definitely budget for a little bit more then the price they quote you.
The one thing I would advise you to do is get as many of the written exams done before you go because believe me you'll be glad of it when you get there. I had all mine done bar the navigation and off course the RT but I watched how other students got so stressed and overworked themselves to get everything done in 3 weeks. Also the staff can harp on to you a bit about doing the exams and then while your stuck in a room doing an exam the weather outside is perfect for flying. When you have most of the exams done 3 weeks (with good weather off course) is enough time to get it all done, i've seen it done
The school it's self does exactly what it says on the tin, nothing more and nothing less. If you want them to give you 100% you gotta put in 100%. Also i'm sure you know but the most important thing is that your happy with your instructor. I witnessed many people not been happy with instructors and left it quite late to say anything which then ended up costing them a lot more money and time. So make sure the instructor is right for you it's vital.
The accommodation isn't the worse thats for sure and to be honest I had a blast when I was there. The good thing about living with the other students is there is a mix of training levels (ppl, cpl, hour building etc) but everyone helps each other out and its great fun. You can walk to the school in about 20 mins. Although when I was there a few of the guys had managed (maybe through prune) to find out they where all arriving and departing the same time so they organised hiring a car together to cut the cost. I personally hired a car because as you said car hire is for nothing and so is gas.
Well the best of luck with your training wherever you decide to go and if I can answer any questions for you about OBA please don't hesitate to contact me. Also if you do decide to go there I can highly recommend 2 or 3 of the instructors and let you know which ones you need to watch out for.
Wingwisher
Haven't been on here in a long time and i've just been reading your post about training in the Florida.
I have just finished my ppl in OBA and firstly, yes what others have said is true definitely budget for a little bit more then the price they quote you.
The one thing I would advise you to do is get as many of the written exams done before you go because believe me you'll be glad of it when you get there. I had all mine done bar the navigation and off course the RT but I watched how other students got so stressed and overworked themselves to get everything done in 3 weeks. Also the staff can harp on to you a bit about doing the exams and then while your stuck in a room doing an exam the weather outside is perfect for flying. When you have most of the exams done 3 weeks (with good weather off course) is enough time to get it all done, i've seen it done
The school it's self does exactly what it says on the tin, nothing more and nothing less. If you want them to give you 100% you gotta put in 100%. Also i'm sure you know but the most important thing is that your happy with your instructor. I witnessed many people not been happy with instructors and left it quite late to say anything which then ended up costing them a lot more money and time. So make sure the instructor is right for you it's vital.
The accommodation isn't the worse thats for sure and to be honest I had a blast when I was there. The good thing about living with the other students is there is a mix of training levels (ppl, cpl, hour building etc) but everyone helps each other out and its great fun. You can walk to the school in about 20 mins. Although when I was there a few of the guys had managed (maybe through prune) to find out they where all arriving and departing the same time so they organised hiring a car together to cut the cost. I personally hired a car because as you said car hire is for nothing and so is gas.
Well the best of luck with your training wherever you decide to go and if I can answer any questions for you about OBA please don't hesitate to contact me. Also if you do decide to go there I can highly recommend 2 or 3 of the instructors and let you know which ones you need to watch out for.
Wingwisher
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Training in Florida
I have just got back from Florida. Completed the FAA CPL, having done the FAA IR in Tulsa in February.
If you are set on Florida then have a look at Tailwheelsetc.com I think they do a PPL for a fixed price in 2 weeks in a PA28. The field is uncontrolled so no delays and my instructor Chris Ryan is a young guy who would be ideal for you. They arrange accommodation just a few minutes walk away(the condo has bikes) and the room is $300-350 per week . Share with other pilots and have a good time. The school has an old banger which they let you use. They are just getting the part 141 so you will get an M1 visa.They also are a written test staion so you do that there, much cheaper than in the UK. If the embassy in london is difficult to get an interview try another country. I had mine issued in New Zealand and it only took a couple of days, very straight forward. Fingerprints can be done at Farnborough or Oxford for the TSA side. I have been through the whole thing so pm me if you need to know anything more. Try to get your ground study all done before you go so that you just concentrate on the flying and oral exam. I think the PA28 was $108 /hour and $50 for the instructor. The examiner was $300. The school has a nice veranda with comfy sofas to chill out on when you need to.
If you are set on Florida then have a look at Tailwheelsetc.com I think they do a PPL for a fixed price in 2 weeks in a PA28. The field is uncontrolled so no delays and my instructor Chris Ryan is a young guy who would be ideal for you. They arrange accommodation just a few minutes walk away(the condo has bikes) and the room is $300-350 per week . Share with other pilots and have a good time. The school has an old banger which they let you use. They are just getting the part 141 so you will get an M1 visa.They also are a written test staion so you do that there, much cheaper than in the UK. If the embassy in london is difficult to get an interview try another country. I had mine issued in New Zealand and it only took a couple of days, very straight forward. Fingerprints can be done at Farnborough or Oxford for the TSA side. I have been through the whole thing so pm me if you need to know anything more. Try to get your ground study all done before you go so that you just concentrate on the flying and oral exam. I think the PA28 was $108 /hour and $50 for the instructor. The examiner was $300. The school has a nice veranda with comfy sofas to chill out on when you need to.