Thinking of training in Florida?
 

Over the years, nay decades, that I have moderated these Wannabes forums there have been several constant debates. One of which has been the merit of EU citizens training for their PPL, Multi and CPL ratings in Florida.

That debate results in more threats of litigation than any other on this forum.

I don't wish to comment one way or the other on the quality of training offered by any USA based school.

My view, expressed on many threads, over many years, in many ways is that basic training is best conducted in the UK at the same school you wish to complete your CPL, Multi and IR at. The reasons are legion.

Over the years I have been asked to remove a great many threads and posts from these pages. The vast majority of which have been from USA based flying schools.

All of the above is fact and you can try to sue my hairy arse if it isn't.


WWW

If you're thinking of enrolling on the well advertised courses offered by XXXXXX or YYYYYY then do take note of my comments above.

WWW

- thanks for that visual image - I've just finished my dinner.

I feel that what WWW has said is not the whole truth. Yes there are some schools out in FL that are second rate, and use american instructors to teach a JAA course. However the school that I went to had 3 English instructors and one spanish instructor, who taught us our Multi engined CPL, and all 9 of us got first time skill test passes.
The beauty of doing this said instruction in FL is that the fuel is shed loads cheaper, and the weather is soo much better.Completed my ME/CPL in 4 weeks, try doing that in the UK.
Ace
:ok:

Dear WWW

Over the years, I have read a great deal of interesting and well written posts by yourself.

Not so this one. You fail to actually make a point, and seem more driven by frustration than logic.

There have been many posts on this forum worthy of litigation. If people would think about the consequenses of what they post, stick to the forum rules, not make false statements, or personal insults, then these threats would not arise.

Anyone wishing to go to any flight school is best advised to talk to those most qualified to comment - their alumni. You will rarely get a good reply on Pprune as too many people have agendas, and all the managers/owners of all the flight schools monitor these pages closely!

Ace,

I did at Halfpenny Green during the end of autumn into winter, so did 3 others.

I don't think we have ever crossed swords WWW , but why is this a "sticky"?
By the way, just to get a little advertising in sideways, I do disagree with you on your point about training in the USA.
I think it makes perfect sense to do FAA Zero-Hero followed by conversion in Europa-land.

Made a point, there..... deal with it.....:suspect:

Learned to fly in USA and had a fantastic experience at a local FBO in Clearwater St Pete's FLA, went back for CPL training and had another fantastic experience, in my view the place is pilot heaven and the best place to be a pilot (I have completed similar training in the UK and it was quite a contrast).

What's wrong with getting a tan and having some fun ?

Hey WWW How about enabling an opinion poll from those who have trained in Florida to see what the results are

e.g. q - Did you have a good experience of training in FLA / USA ?

wOULD BE GREAT TO SEE - I bet majority who have been brave enough to go there are positive !

Some people do have a positive experience. I'm not offering an opinion either way. What I am doing is asserting the fact that for years and years there have been more posts complaining about poor experiences at Florida based schools than any other comparable region. Many of those posts have been removed following complaints.

Wannabes thinking of spending money on flying training don't necessarily know this. Hence the factual sticky.

WWW

If you are after a JAR license in the UK that may make a difference to your experience

I trained at American owned and ran FAA training schools and had a great experience, unfortunately our JAA colleagues who run flight schools bring some of the UK attitude over with them.

If you fly in US then train with US and you won't go far wrong, once you are looking at JAR training then you are much more limited and there are many sharks preying on you (but some OK outfits as well but they have many customers and the customer service ethic is different)

So www how about the poll so that we get some actual data from people who have been there, many fears and objections come from those who have never flown stateside.:ok:

WWW

What are your thoughts on building up hours in the US then?

I am going to do all my training in the UK, but would like to build my hours up in Florida, due to the good weather, cheaper fuel etc.

Matt

Matt you should go to South Africa. I've got a lot of friends who have went their to do packages and have loved it.

Agreed; slightly longer flight but less jet lag when you get there.

Cheers

Whirls

If you want to do your flight training in the US of A, my suggestion would be to not take anything the schools themselves say at face value.
Talk to someone who actually attended the school, previous students and previous instructors.

Something I've come to learn after spending time in the USA is that many of my countrymen (including me), are rather naive in regards to what foreign flight schools will do to take your money more efficiently.

Still however, it's a better option than doing the training back home IMHO, especially the chance of working as an instructor (which was the major selling point for me before moving over). Just make sure you get stuff in writing from your school, and that you talk to recent graduates/instructors to get the real story.

Better still......how about the JAA Florida School that is so confident of great JAA instruction, great aircraft and a great location that they let you come out for a weekend, fly 3 hours, see the school, see the accomodation, sample the life style and do it for less than the cost of 3 hours instruction in the UK......around about $750!! Gotta see it to believe it.........ask OFT, OBA, EFT, NAC if they will do that!

Oh yes and all the instructors are JAA qualified too (as well as currently flying for airlines and corporate operators when not instructing)...and they are also JAA Examiners as well.........so standards are of the highest quality!

PM me for details..........or ask Key Grip on here...he knows how good it is!

Reading between the lines of WWW's post tells you all you need to know.

The slick websites of certain schools looks very appealing, but the problem is that too many students sign up for full courses without so much as even seeing the school and it turns out a shambles for one of a hundred reasons.

Then again, what do I know, as I think you should enjoy your training and not do it the cheapest/quickest etc way.

Many moons ago I completed my Private Licence at Naples Air Center.
There is alot of bad things said about the place and also alot of good things...!

Naples Air Center Now train the Sponsored pilots of a well known UK airline.

Nothing fancy about the place, go there, get what you paid for, and come home.

Ormond Beach are ment to ok aswell for the Private, dont know about commercial though.

hey Guys, what about EFT in ft.Pierce.
I'm planning to do my JAA ME/Cpl in there.
Any suggestion or information would be appreciated!
Many thanks
Cheers:ok:

Yeah - thats mighty fine.


WWW

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Test Post 18 January 2010 10:40 EST