30 Hours Needed, Usa Or Not???
 

I need to get 30 hours PIC to be able to start the commercial.
Wouldn't mind flying out to the US and getting them done quickly and more cheaply.
Can anybody recomend any organisations preferably in California, as I did my PPL in Florida and fancy a change.
Looking for somewhere with well maintained aircraft and overall a friendly and helpful place.
Cheers.

Paulscho,

There's a couple of places in Long Beach. One of them is UK flight Training. There's another, I think called Rainbow Air, that I've heard good things about. There's also a place at Gillespie Field, San Diego, though they wouldn't be my first choice for hour building.

I used ADP at Brackett for my hour building. Great staff and probably the cheapest around. Cant say the planes were in the best condition though. ADP can also arrange cheap accomodation for you, only 30 min walk from the field

Hey, Schoey, I thought you had made up your mind on doing this hr-building from LBA... Wasssup?

Personnaly, I wouldn't recommend crossing the pond just for 30 hrs. - instead, cross ze Channel and go to la belle France - you'll save only 25-30% when compared to Britain, but the flying is as good as it is Stateside (and no, you don't always have to speak French on the R/T).

Gimme a call in Brum before I change address.

Cheers.

No.2, thanks for your info. Have checked out Rainbow, can't find UK Flight Training. Do they have a website or do you know how I can contact them??
Paul.

Hi, Paulcho,
Try WWW.UKFT.com

California is a wonderful place to "do" your 30 hours.

...and like most schools make sure you know exactly what your getting
for your money(in writing).

Around this time of the year, I wouldn't go to California or Florida because of the weather.

Ceiling and visibility can be awful near the West coast (sometimes it takes a whole day to dissipate and starts again the next morning), and thunderstorms/rain might ruin your day on the East coast.

Some places in Texas also get their share of thunderstorms and bad weather around the summer.

If time is really important, and in this case I believe it is otherwise you'll loose on accomodation what you gained on lease rates, I would avoid the coasts and go to a dry place like Arizona. Phoenix sounds perfect to me.

www.westairaviation.com Its a school based in North Las Vegas airport. I spent some there, nice staff and aircraft. as far as I can remember a 172 @ $75 p.h.

The same names keep cropping up on Pprune! I just got back from Mazzei Flying Services, Fresno.

Part 141 school with a fleet of well maintianed aircraft and Commercial Instructors. They have a very strong safety culture unlike a lot of places I've seen in the US. Fresno is well positioned for both North and South California. I had a great time and towards the end I managed to fly off about 5 hours a day, so getting your 30 done will be no bother at all, especially at this time of year.

Stratocaster is right about the wx at the coast, but in the valley we had unresticted viz and clear skies every day. It was HOT though!

I used Air desert Pacific @ brackett, CA. Excellent staff, cheap accommodation and the although the planes have seen better days they are unbelievably cheap to hire. Go to www.airdesertpacific.com

I would recommend them!!!

Good luck,

LB

Paulscho,

You don't have to go to a flight school for that. Come to San Diego, get checked out in a Flying Club and fly your 30 hours for really cheap : $65/hr for a C172 or $47/hr for a C152. Can you beat that ? Also, you won't need a VISA for that. It is vacations for you not flight training.

Check out : www.plusone.org for rentals.

Anyway, let me know... I'm a CFI over here in Southern California and I can check you out.

;)

I agree with Dorosenco, try Plus one. Loads of planes and they are not all hogged by a flying school.

I would agree regarding LA flying and the weather. Watch out, because unless you are very confident, the smog can make it marginal VFR at best.

I've used Rainbow Air at Long Beach in LA. I would recommend them.

red baron
 

hey,

Try red baron aviation in Santa Barbara California, they have good prices and plus you have a chance to stay in a beautiful town and a great airport. www.redbaronaviation.com
takr care!

Hiya,

I have just been doing some flying at a school in Tulsa Oklahoma at Riverside Airfield. I would recommend them without hesitation and they have very reasonable prices and you don't have to pay all up front either as with some of the other schools I looked at.

Aircraft availability has been great, and the planes are well looked after. No hidden extras and no need for a visa unless you are doing the CPL course here. They have a Duchess, a 172 and a couple of 152's.

If you want any details pm me.

Best of luck.