Birky
My advice woukld be go to USA and do the whole lot!

I was in your position couple of years ago same school etc.. and needed to do about 85 hrs PIC so went to San Diego to anglo american and eventually got the whole lot done in about 5 weeks,it was a bit of a push but the best flying/fun had ever!
Anglo owned by a couple of brits who like a laugh/beer make sure you get a good rate based on the total hours before you go.I did my hour building in Warrior/Arrow which helped when i came back to do the CPL in stapleford,perfect place to hour build sea/mountains/desert.Iwent off cross country for a week and half saw amazing amount of USA best flying i have ever done and wish i could do it again

Forget about Africa to many problems may be encountered!

You might want to leave 5 hrs ish to do when you get back to get back into uk procedures but no more as you have already done your ppl here and it will all flood back.

Oh yeah if going to USA start appling for visa NOW! as it takes for ever and you cant let anglo or whoever know when you are arriving until you have it.

Hope it works out for you,it did for me,now flying A320/321 SO KEEP AT IT!

regards,

biminiflyer:ok:

I wouldn't say "forget about Africa" - I got some Jet Ranger time with NAC at Virginia in Durban. Fabulous little airport, just by the beach, great aero club, very high standard of instruction, well maintained aircraft - couldn't fault them!

Only thing with SA (and Durban is better than most SA cities) is the crime - you really have to be vigilant.

Cheers

Whirls

I think that's an excellent plan! I've always said that hour-building is the time to get a range of different experiences.....

In the US, I did my hour-building in Arizona, and can definitely recommend it as far as "local flora and fauna" is concerned, as well as recommending a very good school to rent from - Chandler Air Service. Contrary to what biminiflyer says, no Visa is needed if you are just hour-building - the Visa is only a requirement if you are undergoing training. But you will need to get the ball rolling with regards to getting an FAA license - you'll need to pay the CAA a nominal amount for their efforts in confirming to the FAA that you do have a license. (The FAA don't make any charge for their efforts, though...)

No idea about Africa - I've heard some very good things, so long as you stay in the right parts of town, but no first-hand experience. But if you're planning on splitting the ATPLs, try to do the hour-building in between modules, immediately after the first set of exams.

Again, I'm going to disagree with biminiflyer on the last part of your hour-building - 5 hours is not enough. You won't need that much time to get back into the UK way of doing things, because as biminiflyer says, you've done your PPL over here. But you will need a little bit of time to get your general flying skills back up to the level where you are ready to start your CPL after a few months off. I think your plan is very sensible.

As for how to use your time, have a read of my CPL Diary (there's a link to it in the archive reference thread of this forum) to see what to expect for the CPL, then start brushing up on those things. Bear in mind, though, that the IMC requirements are much lower now than they were when I did my CPL, so concentrate on the VFR stuff.

Most importantly, though, have fun!

FFF
---------------

I'm just considering a number of places currently for 70hours of flying and stumped with all the decisions.Looking to go pretty soon.

Regards

Agree with all the destinations above, but do not forget about Canada, real variation of terrain and weather in this country, easy to get the paperwork as well.

YYZ

Hours Building
 

Get as much experience as possible. That is what will make you a good pilot! Go for it, i wish i had gone to more places in my training.

Good plan, but YYZ has an excellent point. I would advise not to do it all in the US, as so many students come back and struggle on CPL courses after doing so - it's cheaper to get yourself back into the habits of UK flying without paying a CPL instructor!

Thank you all for your input here and in my PMs. Much appreciated.

I'll take a close look at your suggestions and post up my final decision for the benefit of anyone else at my stage.

Regards

Birky

Birky,

If your really interested in S.Africa may I recommend Algoa. I havent been there myself but have heard nothing but good reports about the place. Its on the coast so some nasty winds so will definately improve your cross wind landings. Port Elizabeth is a lovely place. Great beaches and lots of interesting places to fly to. As already mentioned, crime is bad but as long as your sensible you may not have a problem. Ive done both a JAA PPL and an SA PPL and have to say the standard for training is excellent. However, just like anywhere really, there are definately some dodgy operators out there. Be carefull who you choose and never pay cash up front - same as you wouldnt in the states or the UK. If you want more info check out this website. www.avcom.co.za :ok: :ok:

Twin hour-building recommendations
 

At some point in the future (but not just yet), I might want to do another 15 hours of so of hour-building on multi-engine pistons - with the aim of reaching the 30 hours P1 MEP which is required to begin the multi-engine instructor course.

Does anyone have any recommendations for cheap but reasonable condition twins, somewhere in the UK? Some de-icing would be good, since the hour-building is quite likely to be in the middle of winter. The twin I'm currently flying is extremely good, but not cheap, and the bank balance is really hurting from the 10 hours I've done on it already.

FFF
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There is a Seneca at Old Sarum which was at 180 solo an hour. Not sure if the price has changed recently. As cheap as it gets in the UK.

I have to do some hour building IFR in a twin for a taxi job. I'm minimising the cost by flying to the Channel Islands and France a lot. £106 drawback on full tanks of a Duchess!

Ah - good thinking, SC. I might meet you there!!!

FFF
--------------

Hours Building Low Cost
 

Hello all,

I've got to complete 20 hours of PIC so that I can send off for my blue plastic CPL\IR licence. Does anyone know where I can get an aircraft (single) either here in the UK or in Europe for under a hundred pounds? I'm looking to complete the hours in about 7-10 days.

All help greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

TB.:D

Cliff Day at Havarfordwest, £95 ish, no landing fees.

01267202292

Long way out, but for 20 hrs, he may let you relocate it for the week

CG

Tomahawk for 79 quid an hour.


01667 462226.

do it on an SLMG, many clubs fly them for < 45 quid hr. U can do 25 hrs on one for a CPL issue

Thank you to you all so far, my phone book is getting bigger!

Has anyone done any hours building in Europe for a reasonable rate?

Old Sarum Seneca 1 solo rate for members is 196 including fuel surcharge of 12 pounds. Well equiped with G430 and new engines and props!

TubularBells isn't really a CPL/IR - i've flown with him and know how awful he is in the air !! couldn't possibly have passed !! hehe !! :E - Only joking !!! couldn't resist posting my own little bit on your post JG !!
By the way, someone out there in the airline world better employ this guy fast, knows what he's doing does our TubularBells - i'd happily fly with him in my right-hand seat !! hehe