Thanks folks,

From the info given to me by you all & a bit of the old PPRUNE search I feel I'm on my way to Naples Air Centre.

Thanks again,

Phil2

Harvey SM I'd be interested to know more about eft.What is your e-mail?

After the usual advertsadvice and anecdotes, peculiar that price wasn't mentioned.. .Don't Wannabes care about how much it costs?

QUERY,

If they did not care how much the course costs or care how long it takes to complete, they would not be coming to U.S.

I believe you may have insulted some PPruNe members by insinuating they do not check into the price of courses before booking.

When you train in aviation, price is not the most important factor. Do not get me wrong, the price has to be fair, but safety is number one.

To Phil2, I look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Happy Flying,

Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.. .Naples Air Center, Inc.

. .<< Edited for Typo>>

[ 30 January 2002: Message edited by: Naples Air Center, Inc. ]</p>

QUERY

Speaking as one who has done some training in the US a couple of times and knows many others who've done the same, I think people are becoming more savvy in their choice of school. The "cheapest deal" often ends up costing far more than going somewhere reputable in the first place once the "extras" are added in. Or after you've added in the extra cost of accommodation etc when you lose a few days because of overbooking or a plane going u/s. Safety aside, even if it's cheaper in pure dollar terms, you usually get what you pay for - cheap flying schools use cheap aircraft and cheap instructors, cut corners wherever possible and turn out pilots with skills to match.

Flying training isn't a commodity - there's far more to getting value for money than just the headline per-hour flying cost.

PPRuNe has helped a lot in sorting out the rip-off merchants from the professional flying schools and it shows in threads like these - first people narrow down the list to where they'd be happy to train. Once they're down to the reputable schools they don't need to waste bandwidth here asking about prices - much easier to phone the school direct.

phil2.. .send me youe e-mail address. i will give you my report on one of the schools mentioned here. their name isn't allowed to be mentioned in vain on pprune and every post mentioning their true coulours is quickly removed under the threat of legal action to pprune.

No one has mentioned Merritt Island Air Services. I don't know what the quality of their flight training is like, as I was only there hour building, but I loved the place. Its a great location, a very friendly atmosphere, and the people are fantastic. Bob the owner is a very nice guy, and very fair.. .Check out their website <a href="http://www.flymias.com" target="_blank">www.flymias.com</a>

Good luck.

Jockflyer

Does Merritt Island offer JAA flight training?

Price dosn't mean everything i took the cheapest option when i did my PPL. And have been paying the extra because of it.

Yes you can get cheaper than Naples but the planes are in good nick, the instructors are good (i flew twin there while hour building with Britannia). And they will keep completly legal with the visa side of things. The hotel that Naples have a deal with is great and there is a good bar just down the road from it.

Naples is a controlled airport which will get you into better habits for when you get home. If you can swing it ask for Gerald for your instructor he is a decent down to earth guy who is a true professional.

Sorry Richard for stuffing up your instructor planning but the lad is good.

MJ