My First Flying Lesson ?!

[Hagar]

I think this is what Charlie is talking about. http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafactive/pplinusa-ed13.htm [quote]So you would like to do a Private Pilot's Licence course and become one of the thirty thousand plus GA (General Aviation) pilots who take to the skies over the UK? This was my dream since the age of about 17 years old and, 26 years later, I finally realised that dream. Many people see powered flying as a wealthy person's hobby and, to a point, they are correct. However, for those of us who are on a budget there are ways of doing a PPL course at a reasonable cost. One solution is to go to America.

By far, the biggest advantage of going to the USA is the cheaper prices. The basic cost of a PPL course in the USA works out at around

[Craig.]

Doug, its not that difficult to get the paperwork sorted with a little common sense, its more inconvenient than anything. i think now though you also need to have a criminal background check something you didnt up untill recently. However you have always had to have a student visa as its considered schooling. you couldn't just jump on a plane with a return ticket for 6 weeks later and take up your flying on arrival though.

[Hagar]

Doug, its not that difficult to get the paperwork sorted with a little common sense, its more inconvenient than anything. i think now though you also need to have a criminal background check something you didnt up untill recently. However you have always had to have a student visa as its considered schooling. you couldn't just jump on a plane with a return ticket for 6 weeks later and take up your flying on arrival though.

Not sure about now but it used to be a complete all-in package, just like booking a holiday. The flying school arranged everything at their end. It was generally 4 weeks, not 6. I don't think a student visa was involved. My friends never mentioned it anyway. Of course, this was before 9/11 raised its ugly head.

[C]

Doug, its not that difficult to get the paperwork sorted with a little common sense, its more inconvenient than anything. i think now though you also need to have a criminal background check something you didnt up untill recently. However you have always had to have a student visa as its considered schooling. you couldn't just jump on a plane with a return ticket for 6 weeks later and take up your flying on arrival though.

Unfortunately Craig, enough people had thing to say about the process that someone wrote an article for last months "Pilot" magazine. Unfortunately, the system doesn't run as smoothly as advertised, it took him several months to get a Visa and permission to undertake flying training from the TSA, and added several hundred pounds in the process. He was forced to travel to the US to have his fingerprints taken at an TSA approved Sheriff's office, which cost him a one off trip to the States (Florida) just for that purpose...

On the plus side, its creating positions for FAA qualified Instructors/Examiners on this side of the pond.

Its had a direct effect on me, as I was considering travelling to the States for a week in the Summer to complete my PPL whilst Mrs C gets a tan. Hey ho, no chance of that happening now, although I wonder if my job may lift some of the restrictions?

[Craig.]

oh well thats too bad for those wanting to go that route. younger people who can afford can just do it coupled with a university program that way all the new crap for this can be done during the first semester getting the student visa itself isnt that difficult Hell they gave me one so it cant be all that strict time to install the fingerprint monitors at the US embassy. Actually no dont the place for non-immigrant visas its too small as it is. maybe the departure point at a uk airport.

[Hagar]

Its had a direct effect on me, as I was considering travelling to the States for a week in the Summer to complete my PPL whilst Mrs C gets a tan. Hey ho, no chance of that happening now, although I wonder if my job may lift some of the restrictions?

You could always try South Africa instead. I would think with your qualifications it would be a formality anyway. I'm surprised it doesn't come with your wings.

[Craig.]

Charlie i have just gone through the extra crap for this new rule and while a little more complicated its not going to require a trip to the states before hand for the finger prints. There is a registered office at Farnbourough for this now.
http://www.tsc-csc.com/printoffices/Get ... ficeid=659

Charlie if you are wanting to do this, this summer i would start applying now it can take upto two months to get an appointment with the US embassy and a further week for your passport to be returned to you visa stamped.

[C]

Charlie i have just gone through the extra crap for this new rule and while a little more complicated its not going to require a trip to the states before hand for the finger prints. There is a registered office at Farnbourough for this now.
http://www.tsc-csc.com/printoffices/Get ... ficeid=659

Charlie if you are wanting to do this, this summer i would start applying now it can take upto two months to get an appointment with the US embassy and a further week for your passport to be returned to you visa stamped.

Na. I think i'll do it home! New scenery to discover, and the number of hours I need to do (none, technically, just 2 x-countries and the flying exams) its probably not worth the hassle with my current workload...

Thanks for the info Craig...

Also Doug, sadly the flying syllabus I've done up to now hasn't included any solo landaway nav routes, part and parcel of the PPL

[TacitBlue]

I gather that a PPL from the US is the same as one from the UK? would you have to fill out any paper work or do a checkride to get your license in the UK after earning it in the US?

^^ edited for clarity ^^

[Craig.]

not quite you have to do a conversion course when you get back. Some schools in the states offer the european PPL though.

[TacitBlue]

interesting, you learn something new everyday.

[Hagar]

I gather that a PPL from the US is the same as one from the UK? would you have to fill out any paper work or do a checkride to get your license in the UK after earning it in the US?

Here's a quote from my previous link. [quote]The final phase of the course involves a skills test with the chief examiner, something that everyone finds nerve-wracking. The test is designed to consolidate the procedures that have been learned and to ensure that you are safe to fly. Preparation for the test includes planning a cross-country flight, including checking weights and balances for the aircraft. The flight will include a diversion to another airfield and an engine failure that requires a forced landing. Other 'manoeuvres' include slow flight, stalls, tight turns and flapless landings, amongst others. Once you have passed the skills test, you have 'cracked it.' The only remaining thing is to process the application forms for despatch to the CAA, together with the appropriate fee (currently

[beefhole]

Just thought I'd throw in that the first time I went up I did basically everything except land, and that was on my discovery flight.  So it depends on you and your instructor.  Zack knew I had hundreds of hours on FS, and let me do everything with supervision.

[Craig.]

[quote]Just thought I'd throw in that the first time I went up I did basically everything except land, and that was on my discovery flight.

[Alphajet_Enthusiast]

Wow, that is alot!  I suppose its helpful that my instructor is a personal friend! My lessons cost me only 60 Euros an hour! I fly a Lambada, here's a pic my father took during one of my first lessons:



Kobe