Esvees
10-18-2013, 07:58 AM
Hi all,
Please forgive my noobness, I've had a look through a lot of interesting posts, but my situation is fairly unique, so I'd like some specific advice if possible.
I'm a British national living in Shanghai. Most likely I'll be here for a number of years yet as my specific skill set makes me valuable here. On the downside, there is as good as zero opportunity for me to learn to fly in China.
Based on that, I figure the most cost-effective places to learn are either the US (Florida) and South-Africa. I have looked more locally (Thailand and Malasia), but it will be more expensive (the airline ticket savings are also minimal) and I'm guessing the training may not be as good.
My eventual goal is to get a type rating for something like an L39 Albatross, which I figure is pretty much only possible in the US.
Am I correct in thinking the path to this will go PPL=>Instrument rating=>build lots of hours=>aerobatic/performance piston training?=>single seat jet (L39)rating?
I mention this because I'm weighing the ups and downs of each location. In South Africa, I'd need to stay longer (they mention probably 2.5 months absolute minimum), I'm not sure I'll be easily able to fly with a SA PPL in the US, but overall the cost is slightly less as it's about $8,000-$8,500 with full accommodation included and about 55-60 hours flight time. Planes are also fairly new.
Looking at Florida, many schools claim they can get you a part 141 PPL license within a matter of weeks.(doing 45-50 hours) Providing you do a lot of self-study and work hard at it is this truly realistic? or just wishful thinking? Costs can be similar $8,500 (no accommodation) if you learn in older craft (Cessna 152), but I was also warned there may be hidden costs learning in Florida?
Time is a major factor for me as getting 2 continuous months off work would be hard. If I truly could get a PPL with only 4 weeks on the ground, it would make a lot more sense as I need to travel less, but I'm really wondering if this can really be done? If not, South Africa seems more appealing.
Would really appreciate some of your experience on the subject!
Please forgive my noobness, I've had a look through a lot of interesting posts, but my situation is fairly unique, so I'd like some specific advice if possible.
I'm a British national living in Shanghai. Most likely I'll be here for a number of years yet as my specific skill set makes me valuable here. On the downside, there is as good as zero opportunity for me to learn to fly in China.
Based on that, I figure the most cost-effective places to learn are either the US (Florida) and South-Africa. I have looked more locally (Thailand and Malasia), but it will be more expensive (the airline ticket savings are also minimal) and I'm guessing the training may not be as good.
My eventual goal is to get a type rating for something like an L39 Albatross, which I figure is pretty much only possible in the US.
Am I correct in thinking the path to this will go PPL=>Instrument rating=>build lots of hours=>aerobatic/performance piston training?=>single seat jet (L39)rating?
I mention this because I'm weighing the ups and downs of each location. In South Africa, I'd need to stay longer (they mention probably 2.5 months absolute minimum), I'm not sure I'll be easily able to fly with a SA PPL in the US, but overall the cost is slightly less as it's about $8,000-$8,500 with full accommodation included and about 55-60 hours flight time. Planes are also fairly new.
Looking at Florida, many schools claim they can get you a part 141 PPL license within a matter of weeks.(doing 45-50 hours) Providing you do a lot of self-study and work hard at it is this truly realistic? or just wishful thinking? Costs can be similar $8,500 (no accommodation) if you learn in older craft (Cessna 152), but I was also warned there may be hidden costs learning in Florida?
Time is a major factor for me as getting 2 continuous months off work would be hard. If I truly could get a PPL with only 4 weeks on the ground, it would make a lot more sense as I need to travel less, but I'm really wondering if this can really be done? If not, South Africa seems more appealing.
Would really appreciate some of your experience on the subject!