Flying School-USA
 

Hi,

I am planning to start my CPL course from january next year. Could you please suggest me that which one of the following institute is best?

1) Delta Connection Academy
2) Panam Academy
3) Kemper Aviation
4) Flight Safety


Please help me searching the good one or whether all are good, please advise me.

none of those, they are all well overpriced

Aus
 

Francesco,

As you are a US citizen you do not need to go to any of the big pilot factory schools. You are very lucky to be able to attend any so called "mom and pop" shop, that's what we call them here in the US. In most cases these are no-nonsence smaller flight schools or clubs, where you can find very experienced flight instructors that don't build their time on your dime. Plus, you can get much more flight time and experience for the same money. (a C172 rents for $74, the C150 is $46, intstructors are $18 for basic and $22 for advanced training, this is considered very cheap even by US standards) At my place we have 19 rental aircraft, this on its own puts some of the big name schools to shame.
Plus a lot of aircraft owners on the field are older people who like to take younger pilots with them on group trips for added safety, specially once you get your instrument rating. On these trips you are mostly the PIC, since these owners are not building time for any job, they're just happy to go somewhere and have you take them there on their airplane.
To make a long story short I strongly encourage you to look around for smaller schools and PM me for details if you need pointers, since some of these are harder to find on the internet.

j1 visas
 

Hey, looking to study in the states under the J1 visa.

Looking for a flight school in florida that will stand me in good stead for getting a job when i finish. Thinking about doing both JAA and FAA.

Narrowed it down to:

OFT
Flight Safety
Delta Flight connection

Any opinions?

Much appreciated
Cheers

Read this thread. Then do a search for the schools you mention - using their full names. You will find that all have been covered in great detail.

Scroggs

There will be good and bad points to every school that you go to but I would like to share my experience with you so that if you are considering Naples Air Centre you might be able to make a more informed decision. I will begin with the bad points so that I can finish on a positive note.

BAD POINTS

Their communications leaves a lot to be desired. When you book your course with them they send you out their Student Manual. Mine told me that I started on the Tuesday. But in fact when I arrived they told me that I was a day late and that they always start training on the Monday and I should have known that.
I had also requested that I do my MEP there at the same time. I was told on the phone a number of times that I was booked in, but never confirmed it in writing. And you guessed it. No instructors available.
The first few days of my JAA/CPL went fine but then my instructor told me that we would have to get this done in two weeks because he’s taking the best part of the third week off and their was no other JAA instructor’s available. (Bearing in mind that they advertise that you should allow for four weeks to complete the course)
After the first week the constant nervous twitching and snatching back of the controls by the instructor really started to irritate me. I’m not going to pretend that I flew the perfect lesson every time we went up, but call outs like “Airspeed” and “Bank Angle” would have been more appropriate and considerably better for the confidence. When I confronted him about this I got my first glimpse of his bad temper. With a how dare I criticise his style of teaching attitude. From this point everything I did was wrong and we were no longer going to finish in the two weeks and not only that but they hadn’t checked the availability of an examiner. He wouldn’t be available until at least the day I was due to return home nearly five weeks after my arrival. I should have jumped ship at this point but it was a difficult move to make as I had brought my wife and new borne baby all the way from the UK for the duration of the stay.
I persisted with the plan that things would be better on his return and I would sit my test on my last day and catch up with the family in Miami that night.
Well things went from bad to worse. The atmosphere it the aircraft you could cut with a knife. Then out of the blue I turned up for a lesson and he told me that it was up to ME to find a new instructor because he was sick of these shower of B*******ds (the owners of the school). But that this was a good thing because all the other FAA instructors were cheaper. On the same day he tore strips out of someone else’s PPL student in front of everyone for completing his solo circuits without the supervision of his instructor. When I personally witnessed him getting instructions to do exactly that. When I tried to make him aware that the young lad had only done what he was told I then became the focus of his aggression.
Things did get a little better when I started to fly with a guy I could get on with. But we couldn’t fly the Arrow because they had only one and it needed a new engine but not to worry it SHOULD be ready in time for my 170A with you know who.
Well there are no prises for guessing the result of the 170A. He felt that I was not ready for the test because of FREDA checks every ten minutes other than every fifteen. And many more. I can’t remember the half of them because he refused to give me a copy of his notes for that day but there was a lot along the same line. Again I’m not going to pretend that it was perfect far from it. But too many FREDA checks “come on.” I have my suspicions that the examiner was never booked and therefore I was never going to pass the 170A.
I decided to contact Bristol whom I had booked for my IR to ask them could I continue with them and if so what I needed to do. They could not have been more helpful. What I needed was a copy of my training and my log book signed off. This is where they added insult to injury. On settling my account the owner who you might have thought would be at least a little apologetic WRONG. He insisted that the hours that I flew with the second instructor would have to be full JAA rates because he insisted that the second instructor was qualified to teach JAA/CPL which I suspected then and know now was a lie. When I challenged my first instructor to verify the conversation we had previously about the reduced rates he denied all knowledge of our conversation and squared up to me as though to fight. I have always tried to pacify myself with people and treat folk with respect but found myself in new territory here. I turned away, walked up to the owner agreed to settle the account including the additional charge which by now I had given them over $7000.As this would be the fastest way to get out of the place. When I asked him for my student records he said that will be an additional 4 something dollars for the photocopies. Their arrogance astounded me.
I have never pretended that I’m any better than anyone else. But I returned back to Bristol I received excellent instruction and passed CPL first time. And a series one pass in my IR with one or two hours over the minimum requirement. Which I suppose makes me pretty average.

GOOD POINTS

The weather was great.



If you do decide to go consider my advise.

• Get everything in writing. When you arrive they’ve got you by the short and curly’s. What are you going to do? Go home?
• Choose your instructor carefully. Unless you already know it all.
• Bring your own headset. They make a tidy profit out of not telling you to bring one and then either renting you or selling you one when you get there.
• If your allergic to cats DON’T GO
• If you don’t like cats DON’T GO
• If you don’t mind cats, but can’t stand being covered in their fir. DON’T GO
• Don’t ask too many questions. But if you do be prepared. They will note down their time and it will appear on your bill.
• Be prepared. You might spend over $7000 not including flights and accommodation and still come home with nothing.

Would it be beneficial to travel to america to get a PPL and an ATPL??
 

I have seen many adverts for professional pilot training in the USA, one of which was in Naples in Florida, this one caught my eye and after looking at the financial side of the course it would actually be cheaper. I am just wondering if anybody has had any experience of this??:confused:

Jaa Training/jaa Schools Usa
 

:confused: Hi, Im spanish guy desperate triying to find a school in US wich provide JAA training or courses for international students up to 1000h flying time, without do any conversion. Thats a very important point. As i dont live in the US is very difficult to choose the proper schoold cos I have no idea how they are.. I just can see the webs and that it not enought. So could anyone give me a hand? Please anyone knows any good one? any recommendation or suggestion?
Thank you very much guys.

PS: I will appreciate any honest opinion.

Jaa Training/jaa Schools (usa)
 

:confused: Hi, Im spanish guy desperate triying to find a school in US wich provide JAA training or courses for international students up to 1000h flying time, without do any conversion. Thats a very important point. As i dont live in the US is very difficult to choose the proper schoold cos I have no idea how they are.. I just can see the webs and nothing else. I´ve been looking around two in Florida, Orlando Fligth Training and European Flight Training, but would like to know the opinion of someone who has been there doing hes training. So could anyone give me a hand? Please anyone knows any? any recommendation or suggestion?
Thank you very much guys.

PS: I will appreciate any honest opinion.

JAA schools
 

Gernie,

You need to do a lot more research on the system of the FAA and the JAA. You CANNOT do JAA training entirely in the US without a conversion! And you don't need to buy 1000 hours, if you do (and want to) you should not be a pilot at all. You will buy however, training and gather knowledge and experience. So if you want to be a pilot in the EU you should do your PPL in Spain, then do the fATPL ground school, then perhaps you should go to the US to build time and experience. Then continue the rest in Spain. Or you can find the cheapest integrated course in Europe and do everything at one place, there's a good chance it might be right there in Spain or Greece. Read all the threads on aerodynamics, aerofan, adventia, egnatia and you'll see and read all the threads about conversions and you'll see how difficult and costly it is both in time and money.

Near enough, i've done JAA PPL, CPL and ME in the US and FAA IR

Depends, my FAA IR cost about 3600, conversion in the UK is 3300, thats a lot cheaper than the 10-13000 quoted in the UK.

JAA in the USA - good or bad
 

I'm in the US at the moment doing some hour building, which i'm nearing completion of...

Initially my plan was to do my FAA IR and Multi - then to come back to the UK and do a conversion and CPL..

However, friends have suggested that I just go to a flight school that offers JAA licences in the USA - therefore not having to do conversion courses etc.. back in the UK.

(Plus it would be much cheaper!!)

I've got an FAA PPL(A) - and i haven't actually flown in the UK at all!

If I did do all of my flying in the USA (even though getting JAA licenses) would I be shooting myself in the foot with regard to getting a decent job in an airline??

Is (or has) anyone been in a similar possition? what do people suggest?

I would really appreciate any advice or comments that anyone could offer...

Paul

USA vs UK JAA CPL training ques.
 

Hello ,

Just wondering how it is looked at by employers if JAA training is done in the USA. I am currently doing the JAA ATPL's and I am considering where to do the CPL/MEIR/MCC. I am looking at doing the ME CPL in the USA, and then doing the IR somewhere reputable in the UK.

Is this a good way to go or am I better off spending a extra 10,000 pounds to do it all with one provider in the UK ?

Any info/advice would be great

thanks

A license is a license is a license, I personally would save the £10,000

Personally I think any employer couldn't fault any astute wannabe for training to UK standards in an environment that is 1/3 the cost of here across the board + no landing and approach fees.

Correct me if I'm wrong (there are plenty on here who will) but I am led to believe you have to do the IR in UK airspace if you sat CAA ATPL's.

If they have an issue with it then they should start taking on cadets again. As that is not going to happen so they should be content that there are a steady stream of people out there willing to self fund their own training.

Obviously a lot of people make a big deal over the RT differences and standard of training but thats mostly hearsay by those who have never ventured far from a PC copy of FS2004 or a little grass strip in Kent. Don't judge a nation with 450,000 GA pilots by a few dodgy schools.

Also remember, a person who has a bad experience will tell 7-8 people, a person who has had a good one, 1-2.

I don't see any more N registered planes fall out the sky (by proportion) than G registered ones.

I decided to do my conversions in the UK as I wanted to do so in the DA-42 and as yet no CAA approved schools do so either in other European states or in the US so I was limited. But I did do plenty of research into where I went and what options were open to me.

I don't think so, plenty of people go to Spain for their IR.

School In The Us
 

Hi all, I'm looking for a flight school in the US where I can get my CPL+multiengine+seaplane rating.
There are many, but do you have an idea of a school on a nice location, with beaches bloseby? I want also enjoy m time there
Happy new year

I'm not entirely sure about seaplane school, but I remember that there were $hit tins of seaplanes operating around Seattle, Washington when I was there last...that might be a good indiaction of a place to go for that rating...sorry, but the water is cold in Washington state and I'm not sure the beaches 'bloseby' are any good

Los Angeles
 

Hello,
Do you know of any schools in Los angeles that have JAA flight training? And if you can tell me something about them, good and bad, it would help.
JonasRaf

King Rooney,

Interesting information about Spain. How much will you have to pay for the PPL?

Best regards,

Kurt

Good school in Florida
 

Hi All

I'm planning on going to the US to do a FAA Validation my foreign license (South African Comm) later this year.
I've come across many schools on the net but can any body please recommend a good school in Florida to do an accelerated course.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Mal

OFT in Orlando are good if you can manage yourself and determine what you need to do and then get on with it (self directed with your effort setting the tone)

If you need to be spoonfed then they are probably not so good

There are no good schools in Florida.

You do not need to go to a school to get a validation! Check the web-site of www.faa.gov It can be done at a FSDO of your choice. If you want a pure FAA License then only you need to attend a school. Check www.eaa-fly.com

Good Luck. Stay away from the Jaa schools!

A very well educated comment Baboon Boy, I assume your user name was not hard to create.

What experience do you have of the CAA approved FTO's in Florida. From what I understand the CAA standards are the same in the UK as they are in the US.

Training in Florida...
 

Hi all,

Im currently 16 and i have decided for definate that i want to become a pilot for my career. I originally wanted to join the RAF however i decided that the RAF wouldnt be the best lifestyle for me.

I have been told that pilot training in America is almost exactly the same as in England however it is much cheaper and they have a lot more days of flying over there due to the weather (depending on which state).

I have chosen Florida to be the place i wish to train due to they supposedly have 360 flying days each year and also it seems a nice place to live in Deland and other personal reasons.

I want to start my training as soon as i am 17 as this is when i am able to get my PPL howeveri dont know if i can get a loan to begin training at this age.

I also want to do my training almost like an education, i would like it so i spend half of my week training as a pilot and the other half working so i can get some money.

There are just a few questions i wish to be answered if anybody knows about these issues:

1. Are there any implications of being trained in America? (different licenses etc.)

2. Am i able to get a VISA at 17 in America? or a working VISA or something similar for my training.

3. Does anybody know of a company in Florida are good for training with? (I want to go with a good flight school)

4. Is there anyway i am able to get a loan at 17? Are there special companies that help with this? e.g i dont begin paying the loan back until i finish my training.

5. What is the average cost of being trained in the UK and being trained in USA?

6. How long would it take from going from no license to a full professional license ready to join an airline company if i was training 3-4 days per week.

7. And finally does anybody recognise these companies? If so please can you give some feedback on them :) good, bad anything is helpful.

-www.RAAFlightSchools.com (Florida School)
-www.PEA.com
-www.AmericanAviation.com

Any comments or help with this would be great, i am 17 im 7 months so i need to start getting things sorted out as soon as i can :)

Thanks.

Ste.

All your questions are answered in numerous threads in the sticky at the top of this forum. It should take you a good day or so to read through all the information.

Iv been looking around the forums since i made this thread and currently still reading info its just sometimes nicer and quicker to get a direct answer in this thread so please no more "go read the other threads" posts :)

thanks :)

1. Are there any implications of being trained in America? (different licenses etc.)

You can either choose to do your JAA licences in the USA (Not including the IR) or do the FAA licenses then convert them to JAA.

My personal opinion is to do the FAA licenses first at a FAA flight school, not the schools that provide JAA, they tend to be more expensive.

2. Am i able to get a VISA at 17 in America? or a working VISA or something similar for my training.

I don't know, try the US embassy website.

3. Does anybody know of a company in Florida are good for training with? (I want to go with a good flight school)

There are flight schools all over the USA, the best ones probably arnt in Florida, but I think Flight Safety Academy is suppost to be the best (also most expensive)

Best thing to do is get a list of schools that you would like to attend, and search for reviews on pprune, or jetcareers.com is usually better for FAA schools.

4. Is there anyway i am able to get a loan at 17? Are there special companies that help with this? e.g i dont begin paying the loan back until i finish my training.

You need to speek to a bank for this, I doubt you can though. Banks would usually look to see if you have something else to fall back on to, i.e. other work experience or qualifications. Since you are 17, you wont have any, other than GCSE's.

My advise would be go to college, get a job and get some life / work (money) experience behind you. When you're 21 - 22 start your flight training.

5. What is the average cost of being trained in the UK and being trained in USA?

UK - Integrated £60,000 - £80,000
Modular £35,000 - £55,000

USA - Modular £20,000 - £30,000

6. How long would it take from going from no license to a full professional license ready to join an airline company if i was training 3-4 days per week.

If you train in the USA, you will be training 6 days per week. 7 days if you include your own ground studies too (theres no time off) I'd says 18 months, including your ATPLS too.

7. And finally does anybody recognise these companies? If so please can you give some feedback on them good, bad anything is helpful.

I cant personally say anything about these schools as I havent been to them, but do a search theres loads of reviews.

If you're certain you want to become a career pilot, might I politely suggest that you consider what the response of the chief pilot of a commercial flying organisation i.e. your future boss, might be if you said something along the same lines to him when told to find some information.

"Sorry, can't be bothered to go check the flying order book/weather/POH etc, it's nicer and quicker to get a direct answer, so please no more "go read the manual" answers".

Those threads are there for a reason mate, especially the stickies! Strongly suggest you read them.

On the flip side the failure rate for conversions is much higher than standard courses.

Also every student I know, bar one, ended up spending significantly more money doing it the FAA > JAA way than just doing it the JAA way; and we're talking near the top end of 4 figures stirling here.

training in florida
 

hi guys,
I am also planning to take my training in florida.
can you tell me which school are very well reputed, as it is hard for me to get the full picture of how good the schools are by just looking at their website.
are there any schools that you recommend, those that are not so expensive and provide good trainings.

thanks a lot.
haile

Training in the USA (incl Florida)
 

Were there any additional costs that you incurred that were unexpected?
How much did the entire prog set you back by?
I've checked out the cost on the website and its a little unbelievable..
Am looking around for a good school.. will be startin from ZERO... currently emplyed as a flight attendant..
Jus waiting for a Class 1 date and then will start the ball rolling..
Any addtl info you can provide on Aviator will be appreciated..

Flight School California for CPL
 

Hi guys, do you know any good school in California (Los Angeles area) where I can seriously get my FAA CPL and ME rating? I need an intensive course, max 1 month staying. Thanks a lot

79 schools in California; take your pick:
http://www.bestaviation.net/flight_s...california.asp

Just a quick word for all you considering training in the USA.

The FAA professional licences are NOT good for Europe.
To work in the US you will need a green card (if you are not American or Canadian of course) and you WONT get that by being a pilot.

Assuming you can legally work in the US then employers generally ask a lot more hours than in the UK. It is possible to get a First Officer job in UK with a few hunderd hours and CPL - the Americans can only dream of this. ATPL is the minimum for anything except instructing.

It is a LOT cheaper than the UK, but add up the real costs. You will need accomadation and transport. In the UK you can be based at home (generally)

All non US citizens need to get security clearance for aviation training in the US see https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/ and you will also need an M1 Student Visa or J1 Visa if you are going to spend time instructing following your training - however you are limited to working time after training see http://www.uscis.gov Allow extra finances and time to get all this in place. You also need to go to and approved flight school and cannot change training providers.

If you have certain problems - mine is colour vision, then the US is good as they will test you practically and if you pass give you a SODA waiver (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) see colour blindness in medical forum.

I did my PPL in the US and found it great. It cost a lot less than the UK. I have my SODA waiver, the weather and general attitude to aviation is great and if I could only use an FAA professional licence in the UK then I would be there now.

Keep your wits about you though and don't give large deposits up front. A lot of US flight schools go bust - get references etc.

First part yes, second part NOT correct.
Certainly not every school can issue the I-20 (visa application form).
A school needs to be CFR Part 141 certified before it can apply for visa approval.
Therefore "approved" school.

You definitely can change training providers.
If you do this within 6 months of entering the USA, you do not have to leave the country to get another visa.

If you need to change after 6 months you need to return to your country of origin with the new I-20 from the second school and apply for a new visa.

Schools are required to transfer you if you so request.

Is North American training cheaper and worth it?
 

I've got my FAA PPL and am currently in the US. If I do end up deciding to go for a pilot career, would it be best I train in the US and try and look for jobs here, and if that doesn't work, convert to CAA and look in CAnada, and if that doesn't work, convert to JAA and go back to Europe?

I mean I hear ridiculous things like a Warrior costing 200 bucks/hour in UK or Germany, while u can get a Seneca for that price in US.

So for training and hour building, would it be best to get FAA licences and build hours and convert, even if there are little job prospects for foreigners in the US?

Cheaper ,for sure,
but ,pay attention to the conversion

I disagree - it's not cheaper for sure.

The majority of my collegues who did FAA > JAA spent more money than those who just did JAA in the end with conversions etc.