Flight Training in USA/SA
Discussion
I'm throughly in favour of supporting the hard-pressed domestic flight-training industry, but if you're on a budget and have a constrained time period that you can devote to getting to getting a PPL, then going abroad to take advantage of cheaper costs and better weather is always an option.
There are differences in RT and procedures, but nothing a few hours flying won't sort out - I mean, it's not like driving...at least the septics don't fly on the other side of the sky. Mostly.
Anyway, there are hundreds of US pilots flying into Heathrow and other crowded European airspace every day (on those dodgy FAA Instrument Ratings that the CAA/JAA/EASA/etc don't want anyone else to use) who don't seem to have too much trouble.
There are differences in RT and procedures, but nothing a few hours flying won't sort out - I mean, it's not like driving...at least the septics don't fly on the other side of the sky. Mostly.
Anyway, there are hundreds of US pilots flying into Heathrow and other crowded European airspace every day (on those dodgy FAA Instrument Ratings that the CAA/JAA/EASA/etc don't want anyone else to use) who don't seem to have too much trouble.
Thanks for the comments so far guys. I was really hoping to hear from people with direct experience of learning out there. As a PPL holder myself I tend to agree with eharding in that aclimatising to UK R/T really wouldn't be THAT hard. Or to put it another way if it WAS then you probably shouldn't be flying anyway.
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 18th August 11:29
Pugsey said:
Or to put it another way if it WAS then you probably shouldn't be flying anyway.
Exactly that. I flew in the US all the way up to JAA Multi-engined commercial, before returning to the UK to do my IR. Absolutely no hassle in the transfer. RT is different, but a sift through an RT leaflet will see you right. Airspace system is slightly different, but if you have eyes, you can read a chart...
The main advantage of doing ab initio overseas, is partly cost saving, although it's often marginal, but more importantly the weather - especially if you want to condense the training within a finite time period.
CPL and ATPL training can be worthwhile, but the UK standards at places like Oxford Academy are very good.
Most UK PPLs are happy to learn over an extended period, averaging a couple of hours a week, so the quality and convenience factor is also important, but agree that a sizeable operation with full atc, and more professional r/t standards, will pay dividends in the long term.
CPL and ATPL training can be worthwhile, but the UK standards at places like Oxford Academy are very good.
Most UK PPLs are happy to learn over an extended period, averaging a couple of hours a week, so the quality and convenience factor is also important, but agree that a sizeable operation with full atc, and more professional r/t standards, will pay dividends in the long term.
I started my PPL in Florida a few years ago on the premise that it would be cheaper...
In reality once you add in the cost of the air fare to get you there, a US visa, A US medical and other paperwork as well as the cost of accomodation it soon becomes more expensive...
Flying in Florida is NOTHING like flying in the UK, the radio work is a lot more laid back and the weather and airspace is almost perfect out there..
Come back here and people get upset if you make one mistake on the radio, the airspaces is very busy and the weather is exceedingly changeable...
I recon in the long term it would have cost me less money and stress if I had remained in the UK to do the training!
I compelted my PPL 3 years ago at a local flight training school...
Once you have your JAA PPL... you COULD then consider going to the US to do some hour building if you so wished... you dont need a trianing visa for that, and its a fantastic way of signtseeing..
IMHO.. train in the uk!
In reality once you add in the cost of the air fare to get you there, a US visa, A US medical and other paperwork as well as the cost of accomodation it soon becomes more expensive...
Flying in Florida is NOTHING like flying in the UK, the radio work is a lot more laid back and the weather and airspace is almost perfect out there..
Come back here and people get upset if you make one mistake on the radio, the airspaces is very busy and the weather is exceedingly changeable...
I recon in the long term it would have cost me less money and stress if I had remained in the UK to do the training!
I compelted my PPL 3 years ago at a local flight training school...
Once you have your JAA PPL... you COULD then consider going to the US to do some hour building if you so wished... you dont need a trianing visa for that, and its a fantastic way of signtseeing..
IMHO.. train in the uk!
I think that the RT and weather aspects here are being grossly over-estimated. RT is similar, just different phraseology. It would take you 2 flights to encounter all scearios whereby the RT would be significantly different. I went from VFR twin flying in the US to IR radar control service (very tight RT standards) and honestly, there's nothing to it. If you can learn to fly anywhere, you can read up on the local RT.
Obviously weather is a good point. People go to the US because the weather offers them continuity, which is vital when you're learning. When you arrive in the UK, well, if you're a VFR pilot, and IMC exists, you don't go. If you encounter IMC en route, you take the required actions. Ie. You see that you're approaching a wall of cloud... Well, don't fly into it. Or the crosswind component is too high for your experience level.. Well, that's a no-go also. It's brainless. But in the US, these conditions are rare, so you get to go, and consequently get some good currency going with training.
Obviously weather is a good point. People go to the US because the weather offers them continuity, which is vital when you're learning. When you arrive in the UK, well, if you're a VFR pilot, and IMC exists, you don't go. If you encounter IMC en route, you take the required actions. Ie. You see that you're approaching a wall of cloud... Well, don't fly into it. Or the crosswind component is too high for your experience level.. Well, that's a no-go also. It's brainless. But in the US, these conditions are rare, so you get to go, and consequently get some good currency going with training.
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