Sunquest Aviation Florida
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Around and about
Age: 34
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sunquest Aviation Florida
Hi guys, just back from the USA after some hour building. For all those looking to traverse the minefield i've recently have a fantastic experience at Sunquest Avaition. They are a fairly small operation but did not ask for a penny upfront until I arrived, they even let me go flying for the checkride before putting cash into my account something quite rare in the flight industry these days.
Cost
Basically I had the aircraft for 3 weeks scheduled for 7-9 hrs a day sometimes the whole day and periods covering 36hrs; which was pretty good since they only have 2x C152 (they have other aircraft too btw). The price was 94$/£58 an hour.
Environment
The airfield is not controlled firstly so it's the same as Leicester Radio. However as soon as you take off you will usually need to contact West Palm Beach App which is a busy international airport. People say that Florida isnt as good; but i've got alot more experience in different things by going there such as parallel approachs into busy Class B,C,D airspace such as Tampa, Orlando and West Palm with 737's ect Also I landed at Miami the only one i had to pay which was 26bucks; now for that you get to be in the environment you will aiming to be one day as you have to talk to Clearance, Ground, Tower, Deperature something again not possible in the UK without paying alot of cash. Landing on crossing runways and holding short, using ATIS reports like at bigger UK airports is common at small GA fields. Also you will have to think about what RW you need to be on when there are 4 rather than our one. Yes it may be obvious stuff but when you have a 737 a few hundred metres to the side you can't afford to drift off the centerline of mess up your turn final. ( sounds obivous but i'm sure its beem done)
The service from the FBO's you get are fantastic they pull up fuel you up if required chock your aircraft and some golf buggy you from the ramp. Drinks and food are also provided free.
And the biggest reason is the weather. You can fly for 190nm without clouds some days; there will however be alot of convection so you will have to constantly adjust the aircraft if thermals push you up. You can fly for 2.5hrs to Key West in the Carribean sit on the beach for 3-4hrs then fly home and get a solid 5hrs in one day. Rather than going to some UK airport with nothing there and paying for the privillage to land.
Things are what you make of them. I was sceptical before and a bit daunting on arrival but aviation in the US is awesome. If you guys want any more information on them feel free to PM me.
Cost
Basically I had the aircraft for 3 weeks scheduled for 7-9 hrs a day sometimes the whole day and periods covering 36hrs; which was pretty good since they only have 2x C152 (they have other aircraft too btw). The price was 94$/£58 an hour.
Environment
The airfield is not controlled firstly so it's the same as Leicester Radio. However as soon as you take off you will usually need to contact West Palm Beach App which is a busy international airport. People say that Florida isnt as good; but i've got alot more experience in different things by going there such as parallel approachs into busy Class B,C,D airspace such as Tampa, Orlando and West Palm with 737's ect Also I landed at Miami the only one i had to pay which was 26bucks; now for that you get to be in the environment you will aiming to be one day as you have to talk to Clearance, Ground, Tower, Deperature something again not possible in the UK without paying alot of cash. Landing on crossing runways and holding short, using ATIS reports like at bigger UK airports is common at small GA fields. Also you will have to think about what RW you need to be on when there are 4 rather than our one. Yes it may be obvious stuff but when you have a 737 a few hundred metres to the side you can't afford to drift off the centerline of mess up your turn final. ( sounds obivous but i'm sure its beem done)
The service from the FBO's you get are fantastic they pull up fuel you up if required chock your aircraft and some golf buggy you from the ramp. Drinks and food are also provided free.
And the biggest reason is the weather. You can fly for 190nm without clouds some days; there will however be alot of convection so you will have to constantly adjust the aircraft if thermals push you up. You can fly for 2.5hrs to Key West in the Carribean sit on the beach for 3-4hrs then fly home and get a solid 5hrs in one day. Rather than going to some UK airport with nothing there and paying for the privillage to land.
Things are what you make of them. I was sceptical before and a bit daunting on arrival but aviation in the US is awesome. If you guys want any more information on them feel free to PM me.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Age: 41
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that's quite a plug. Do you get commission?
oh, and the 94 bucks an hour for C152 is the money you can get C172 wet rate, for.
Did you actually fly 7-9hrs flight time a day solid for days in days out? Not very safe in my view. Anyway...
oh, and the 94 bucks an hour for C152 is the money you can get C172 wet rate, for.
Did you actually fly 7-9hrs flight time a day solid for days in days out? Not very safe in my view. Anyway...
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Around and about
Age: 34
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I meant you book it for 7-9 hrs and fly for say 3,4,5. Whatever you like. The time in between you spend somewhere nice on a beach if possible. I do not get commission. I'm just on here since I found it difficult to find somewhere but I went somewhere and got the service I expect which you don't find in alot of places. So I wanted to highlight their good work and the great setup they have. And hopefully point a few people there rather than them going somewhere and possibly having a bad experience.
I enjoy helping people and if I can share my experience to help others to do something and achieve what they want to that's great. Especially with all the negativity surrounding the industry.
If you want to research my posts you will find opinions on the other places I have been and what that was like too.
I enjoy helping people and if I can share my experience to help others to do something and achieve what they want to that's great. Especially with all the negativity surrounding the industry.
If you want to research my posts you will find opinions on the other places I have been and what that was like too.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK
Age: 32
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the heads up mate.
I am also currently looking for a decent place to do some hour building in the US.
Can I ask you, do you need to do an AFSP check for hour building in the USA? And most importantly, am I right in saying that you do not require a Visa for hour building? I currently hold a JAA PPL. The School that I have contacted so far has said that I require an AFSP check "for flight training in the US", although I don't understand why hour building is counted as "flight training".
I am also currently looking for a decent place to do some hour building in the US.
Can I ask you, do you need to do an AFSP check for hour building in the USA? And most importantly, am I right in saying that you do not require a Visa for hour building? I currently hold a JAA PPL. The School that I have contacted so far has said that I require an AFSP check "for flight training in the US", although I don't understand why hour building is counted as "flight training".
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Luton, UK
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good for you jugs 
the busier schools over in the states won't let you have a plane for so long without putting hours on it
but schools like you mention do exist and as long as the readers here remember 'buyer beware' a great time is to be had
and guess where I am right now - sunny Florida and flying tomorrow
the busier schools over in the states won't let you have a plane for so long without putting hours on it
but schools like you mention do exist and as long as the readers here remember 'buyer beware' a great time is to be had
and guess where I am right now - sunny Florida and flying tomorrow
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Age: 41
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not sure about Florida, as I'd avoid it at all cost (excluding Grumman Widgeon seaplane twin rating, maybe, one of a kind in the US school/CFI)
BUT
the places I know, as stated, other side of US, rent C172 wet for the price of 152 at this school you mentioned. Also, the minimum flight time is 3hrs a day if taking away or 'booking out' for the whole day/overnight, away.
Well, Florida is more expensive and judging by the look of things, more restrictive.
If you consider this place as so flexible.
Good. I thought you promote solo renting for ridiculous amounts of time a day for extended periods. There were/are such specimens here, going from UK/Europe to USA and wanting to fit 90-100 hours in 2 weeks.
BUT
the places I know, as stated, other side of US, rent C172 wet for the price of 152 at this school you mentioned. Also, the minimum flight time is 3hrs a day if taking away or 'booking out' for the whole day/overnight, away.
Well, Florida is more expensive and judging by the look of things, more restrictive.
If you consider this place as so flexible.
Good. I thought you promote solo renting for ridiculous amounts of time a day for extended periods. There were/are such specimens here, going from UK/Europe to USA and wanting to fit 90-100 hours in 2 weeks.
