PPL - UK vs US vs Ireland

Monotype

I'm thinking of getting a PPL but I'm confused with the authorities and the limits of each and wondering if anyone could help me out.
I'd like flexibility, but I'm not in such a hurry to get it done in a few weeks. Ideally, I'd like the freedom to move around and pick up pointers from various trainers.

Question 1: The exams.
Doing the exams in Ireland will only qualify towards an IAA licence, correct?
If I do the CAA ones in the UK or northern Ireland, I believe that I can use them for a JAA license in the US, but can I use CAA exams in Ireland?

Question 2: Medical exam.
There was a thread about this a short while ago, but just to confirm - the medical exam is fine if you get it here?

Question 3: Flight time.
Does flight time in one count towards another?

Question 4: Converting licenses and international use.
Is an Irish license the least flexible?
Supposing I got a JAA license in the US. This would enable me to fly in European countries, but would I need any conversion tests/fees to fly here?
Does the JAA actually qualify flight in the US in general or would you need an FAA license for that?
What about the CAA license in the UK in comparison to the others?


I was thinking of something like getting a few lessons here in Ireland to get me used to the idea, doing the CAA exams in NI for flexibility and possibly getting the license in the US to avail of the lower cost.

If anyone can offer input, experiences, advice, opinions or rants, it's all appreciated.

Xpro

Good questions, i would like some more info on the above aswell.

regarding the medical exam, if you do you ppl in ireland you have to be in possesion of irish medical, caa or us medical wont do. Thats the only thing i know

alan85

Monotype wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a PPL but I'm confused with the authorities and the limits of each and wondering if anyone could help me out.
I'd like flexibility, but I'm not in such a hurry to get it done in a few weeks. Ideally, I'd like the freedom to move around and pick up pointers from various trainers.

Question 1: The exams.
Doing the exams in Ireland will only qualify towards an IAA licence, correct?
If I do the CAA ones in the UK or northern Ireland, I believe that I can use them for a JAA license in the US, but can I use CAA exams in Ireland?

Question 2: Medical exam.
There was a thread about this a short while ago, but just to confirm - the medical exam is fine if you get it here?

Question 3: Flight time.
Does flight time in one count towards another?

Question 4: Converting licenses and international use.
Is an Irish license the least flexible?
Supposing I got a JAA license in the US. This would enable me to fly in European countries, but would I need any conversion tests/fees to fly here?
Does the JAA actually qualify flight in the US in general or would you need an FAA license for that?
What about the CAA license in the UK in comparison to the others?


I was thinking of something like getting a few lessons here in Ireland to get me used to the idea, doing the CAA exams in NI for flexibility and possibly getting the license in the US to avail of the lower cost.

If anyone can offer input, experiences, advice, opinions or rants, it's all appreciated.

1. The exams are particular to the authority that issues that PPL licence. Therefore, no crossover of exams between CAA or IAA.
2. The medical is a little complex. Some states accept other states' medical certs. IAA is accepted by CAA. Don't know about IAA accepting Class 2 CAA but they deffo don't accept Class 1 CAA. Best to contact to make sure first.
3. Yes, probably, but you should make sure the CFI has put a line under any flight time taken in a school and get it signed and stamped by them.
4. If you got a JAA licence in the U.S. it will be a CAA licence. There is no such thing really as a JAA licence as far as I know. You may fly here. The question you need to ask yourself is can you fly here.. Are you confident in what you learnt there to fly here. My advice is get it here (Irl or Britain) and do it over a year/year and a half. That way you know the airspace/ATC and are somewhat familiar with the weather...

Monotype

Thanks for the help! :cool:

If I did it in the US and I wasn't so sure about flying here, I could always get a few additional lessons when I get back. Spacing it out would be fine or even favourable but the cost difference does seem to be quite big and that's before I add extras of fuel costs to get to the lessons.

Is it possible to convert an IAA licence to a CAA license?

alan85

Monotype wrote: »

Thanks for the help! :cool:

If I did it in the US and I wasn't so sure about flying here, I could always get a few additional lessons when I get back. Spacing it out would be fine or even favourable but the cost difference does seem to be quite big and that's before I add extras of fuel costs to get to the lessons.

Is it possible to convert an IAA licence to a CAA license?

I have no experience with conversion so can't answer that. Make sure when you're making comparisons that you add up absolutely everything and that your costings are realistic. Add in flights, medical in U.S., visa, insurance on aircraft that I heard they add on there, accomm, food, buses, taxis.... It adds up quick and could be just as effective gotten here. Where in the country are you?

Another option is to get a cheap room in July/August where there's a university in Britain and do it intensively. The room cost me £200 for the month and I got in the major bits of the P.P.L. that are harder to get from distance such as cross countries and exams... Saved on travel that way...

foxtrot hotel

Florida all the way.
Cheapest and Quickest. Can do it there easily in about 3-4 weeks.
Dont worry about exams, Just get a book call the "PPL Confuser" and that will sort you out on the exam front. Just a case of memorising the answers.

Flying in Florida is the same as flying anywhere else.
The air and sky are the same all over the planet. The aircraft react the same way in Ireland as it does in Florida.
When you get back from Florida, before your bring anyone up, just do a an hour or 2 solo.

On your flight back from Florida, you can use that time to study an IAA chart of Ireland.

Its easier to fly in Ireland than the states most people find afterall.

This is a good place, rough and ready but you will come home with a cheap PPL. http://www.flyeasa.com

P.S NEVER hour build of a club. They will make you do checkouts and pay membership. Best way to fly in Ireland is rent private aircraft of owners. I know a good few. I rent a C150 for 85 quid an hour and a 152 for 95 quid an hour.

Lustrum

foxtrot hotel wrote: »

Florida all the way.
Cheapest and Quickest. Can do it there easily in about 3-4 weeks.
Dont worry about exams, Just get a book call the "PPL Confuser" and that will sort you out on the exam front. Just a case of memorising the answers.

Flying in Florida is the same as flying anywhere else.
The air and sky are the same all over the planet. The aircraft react the same way in Ireland as it does in Florida.
When you get back from Florida, before your bring anyone up, just do a an hour or 2 solo.

On your flight back from Florida, you can use that time to study an IAA chart of Ireland.

Its easier to fly in Ireland than the states most people find afterall.

This is a good place, rough and ready but you will come home with a cheap PPL. http://www.flyeasa.com

P.S NEVER hour build of a club. They will make you do checkouts and pay membership. Best way to fly in Ireland is rent private aircraft of owners. I know a good few. I rent a C150 for 85 quid an hour and a 152 for 95 quid an hour.

Can you PM me with details of these guys if they're interested in getting some more business please, and with any more details ie where are the planes based, wet or dry rates, any other info cheers