JAA PPL in USA
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I completed my JAA PPL at a certain UK aimed flying school in Long Beach California last summer and definately reccomend it. The weather was exceptional for all but maybe one or two days out of the 6 weeks I was there. There was a bit of smog but this never got so bad to be IMC. The instruction was good and the school ran smoothly, with dry planes with no mud on the pedals!
I just recently started flying again since my return and it took me about 3 hours to get used to the radio (the biggest difference) and checked out on a PA28.
I think it's definately worth training in LA, despite the few hundred quid needed to familiarise in the UK.
[This message has been edited by weetabix (edited 26 April 2001).]
I just recently started flying again since my return and it took me about 3 hours to get used to the radio (the biggest difference) and checked out on a PA28.
I think it's definately worth training in LA, despite the few hundred quid needed to familiarise in the UK.
[This message has been edited by weetabix (edited 26 April 2001).]
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Eject,
If you're going to fly in another country, its always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the local differences in procedure. As for the U.S., the main thing that you will need to familiarise yourself with is with differences in airspace. R/T is possibly more straight forward out there. Saying that, all should be explained at your flying school anyway. Just keep your eyes open.
Weetabix, totally agree with you in that California is a great place to fly!
If you're going to fly in another country, its always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the local differences in procedure. As for the U.S., the main thing that you will need to familiarise yourself with is with differences in airspace. R/T is possibly more straight forward out there. Saying that, all should be explained at your flying school anyway. Just keep your eyes open.
Weetabix, totally agree with you in that California is a great place to fly!
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Alright ickle ... truce ... I apologise, on reflection I definitely went over the top on that little post. Multiple pints of Hoegaarden and internet chat forums are not the best of friends ...
I have no problem admitting that there are plenty of schools in Florida that put out a quality product, and indeed that there are a few students from UK based flying schools that slip through the quality control net as well
Nevertheless I seem to have filled up my in tray with emails, both from irate Florida qualified pilots and nervous students heading that way, so I'd like to apologize to the first group for any offense caused, and offer a bit more of my opinionated counsel to the second ...
No matter which flying school you choose, whether at home or abroad, you should be fine as long as you don't put up with slack instructors that cut corners on their own checklists in order to save time, or fail to give you proper pre- and post- flight briefings and debriefings. Watch out for the ones that take you on numerous, long, cross country nav. trips with no solos in between - they're taking the piss and trying to build their own hours. Get hold of a JAR PPL syllabus (the official one, as issued by AOPA) and make sure you are getting the full range of exercises covered, prior to your skill test.
A proper school will keep records on all its' students, written up by the instructor after each trip - don't go there if they don't, it can make life very difficult for you should you need to change instructors during the course and there's no continuity with student records. Also, you should ask for a copy of your student records when you leave the school, it can really save you time and money, if you can give it to the next instructor you fly with - he/she already knows your strengths and weaknesses and thus the points to focus on in the air.
As long as you know your rights, you shouldn't end up getting fleeced, no matter which part of the world you're in
I have no problem admitting that there are plenty of schools in Florida that put out a quality product, and indeed that there are a few students from UK based flying schools that slip through the quality control net as well
Nevertheless I seem to have filled up my in tray with emails, both from irate Florida qualified pilots and nervous students heading that way, so I'd like to apologize to the first group for any offense caused, and offer a bit more of my opinionated counsel to the second ...
No matter which flying school you choose, whether at home or abroad, you should be fine as long as you don't put up with slack instructors that cut corners on their own checklists in order to save time, or fail to give you proper pre- and post- flight briefings and debriefings. Watch out for the ones that take you on numerous, long, cross country nav. trips with no solos in between - they're taking the piss and trying to build their own hours. Get hold of a JAR PPL syllabus (the official one, as issued by AOPA) and make sure you are getting the full range of exercises covered, prior to your skill test.
A proper school will keep records on all its' students, written up by the instructor after each trip - don't go there if they don't, it can make life very difficult for you should you need to change instructors during the course and there's no continuity with student records. Also, you should ask for a copy of your student records when you leave the school, it can really save you time and money, if you can give it to the next instructor you fly with - he/she already knows your strengths and weaknesses and thus the points to focus on in the air.
As long as you know your rights, you shouldn't end up getting fleeced, no matter which part of the world you're in
