EASA PPL - Flying hours only in different country? [Ireland - Spain]
Posted by Ezio_Auditor_@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Hello!
Short summary: I'm based in Ireland and researching getting my PPL. I have a job so I will likely do it part time.
Now, as we have wonderful sunny weather in Ireland maybe 3 days in a year, so I have been researching doing the PPL from somewhere else in Europe (eg spain).
I apologise if some info below is not 100% correct, this is all based on my online research the last few weeks; hence I am here.
So what I was thinking is doing my medical + theory in Ireland (ie pass all 9 subjects here) then ONLY for the flight hours, do them in Spain. After completing my 45 hours (or however long it takes) then do the final test back in Ireland and apply for full license in Ireland. Or do the final test in Spain and apply for PPL in Ireland.
Is that possible? ... I am getting conflicting info from forums / google etc. Some people say that won't work as I can only do flying where I do my medical, some say I can not do test in a country where I did not fly, some say this will work. I've taken a look at the IAA website and couldnt see the answer to this exact question.
So, can I get your opinion / experience? What would be the best (and economical) way for me to work towards PPL keeping in mind my preference would be to spend the most (non-flying) time in Ireland due to my job.
Thanks!
Federal-Cream-6663@reddit
Definitely a good idea to do theory exams in Ireland if you want Irish easa licence, from IAA website.
"Foreign Exams
A complete set of EASA PPL examinations carried out under the direct control of another EU Member State may be acceptable towards the issue of an EASA PPL licence subject to satisfactory verification.
Please note that it is not possible to get satisfactory verification from some states. Therefore, sitting of foreign exams is not recommended as their acceptance may not be possible."
If you are getting the PPL as a stepping stone to a CPl then it really doesn't matter where you do it, but if you get the PPL for recreational reasons and you want to fly in Ireland with it, just know that nobody is going to rent an aircraft to someone with a new license, so you'll probably require about 3 to 5 hours flying what could be a new type of airplane with an instructor before you are released.
But if you do your training at Irish ATO or DTO (school or club) you'd bypass this, you'll also be meeting like-minded enthusiasts you can share rental costs with after you get your licence etc.
The weather in Ireland is tricky, and if you're only available 2 days a week that makes it harder.
Ezio_Auditor_@reddit (OP)
Thank you. Yes, as the other commenter suggested, my plan is: Medical in Ireland > Theory exams in Ireland > Flight hours somewhere in Europe > come back and apply for Irish PPL
And yes, I agree. It would be better for me to stay here (infact I'd prefer to support local as well) but with weather and my full time job, it would be difficult. But first step is the theory. once I do all my exams, I'll think about it then :)
And on your point about doing 3-5 hours, can you expand on that a bit more? Is it because I will not have experience flying in Ireland (assuming I get the same aircraft in Ireland that I did my hours in)? Would this 3-5 hour requirement be in every country eg if I want to go to another EU country and rent on my holiday?
Federal-Cream-6663@reddit
Pretty much everyone will want to see you fly before they rent to you, usually if you are good, a check flight is enough. But with less experience 3 to 5 hours would be normal change in type, so if you learn on a Cessna and you rent a piper for example.
The reality is, if you want to rent on holiday they'll probably put a safety pilot with you in the right seat.
Cillian_Dub@reddit
Started my ppl here in Ireland in May, I work full time so only able to fly during the weekends, between crappy weather, lack of availability and now a fire at the airport it’s been a slow process.
Low clouds this year ment it took ages to be able to do the stall and spin recovery lessons as you have to be up higher than normal due to the altitude loss when you are practicing at first.
Changing weather conditions can mean that you flight will get cut short and you might have to return to base, obviously saftet is number one priority, but this also means you will have to repeat this lesson again another €250 or so….
Have been on hold now to do my first solo circuit flight for a number of weeks, probably won’t go ahead now for a number of weeks due to the recent fire beside the AT meaning no circuit lessons can go ahead and due to weather conditions getting worse now coming into the winter.
Kind of regret not just taking a few weeks off work now and going to Spain Portugal or Poland to complete the flying part.
Ezio_Auditor_@reddit (OP)
Weston airport, I assume?
and yeah, the weather is the major reason why I am planning on doing the flying part elsewhere in Europe (have looked at Spain, POrtugal, Poland, and Malta). Btw the cost saving isn't really significant in these countries vs doing in Ireland... Based on the rough budget, I'd be saving maybe 2-4k in the cost of PPL, but I'm sure that would be used up for flights / accommodation / travel etc in the foreign country
I'm also working full-time and I'm thinking that I might take a few days off work (around weekend) every few weeks and do flying then as I cant really take straight 4-6 weeks off haha.
Could you not do the remaining hours in a different country? Eg if you did 20 hours in Ireland, can't you enrol in Spain and do the remaining 25 hours? Doesnt work like that?
No-Version-1924@reddit
It's just that simple.
You can do your PPL training and the skill test in any EASA country, with any EASA PPL examiner, and then apply for the licence in Ireland - just make sure your medical records are held by the Irish aviation authority.
Ezio_Auditor_@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the reply. Just to confirm, you mean what I would be doing is :
In Ireland: Medical -> 9 Theory tests
In Spain: Flight lessons -> Flight test -> Get passing cert (or whatever is given after passing)
Then go back to Ireland and give them the flight test certificate (I assume in Spanish??) and I can get my PPL in ireland
Is my understanding correct?
No-Version-1924@reddit
Correct.
The examiner will use skill test form from your (Irish) aviation authority, so there won't be any need for translation.
Ezio_Auditor_@reddit (OP)
Got it. Thanks for the clarification. I was confused because reading online people were saying I can't do theory / flying in different countries.
Boris_the_pipe@reddit
Yes
Mithster18@reddit
Hours and experience are related to you. Probably good to have a chat to an instructor in Ireland to know the syllabus you should train towards, and if there's anything else you need to train for. Have a chat to the school in Spain too as there will be some similarities and differences between the two syllabi.
I remember when I was training indian students, CAANZ required x/c flights to be outside 25nm, but DCGA needed the flight to be outside a 50nm radius. It's not a bad thing. To go solo you may need a Spanish /EASA Medical or an approved equivalent i.e, EASA approving an Irish medical.
Forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject, but does Irenlad run under EASA or CAAUK?
Ezio_Auditor_@reddit (OP)
Thanks for this. I will speak to both sets.
Ireland in EASA
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hello!
Short summary: I'm based in Ireland and researching getting my PPL. I have a job so I will likely do it part time.
Now, as we have wonderful sunny weather in Ireland maybe 3 days in a year, so I have been researching doing the PPL from somewhere else in Europe (eg spain).
I apologise if some info below is not 100% correct, this is all based on my online research the last few weeks; hence I am here.
So what I was thinking is doing my medical + theory in Ireland (ie pass all 9 subjects here) then ONLY for the flight hours, do them in Spain. After completing my 45 hours (or however long it takes) then do the final test back in Ireland and apply for full license in Ireland. Or do the final test in Spain and apply for PPL in Ireland.
Is that possible? ... I am getting conflicting info from forums / google etc. Some people say that won't work as I can only do flying where I do my medical, some say I can not do test in a country where I did not fly, some say this will work. I've taken a look at the IAA website and couldnt see the answer to this exact question.
So, can I get your opinion / experience? What would be the best (and economical) way for me to work towards PPL keeping in mind my preference would be to spend the most (non-flying) time in Ireland due to my job.
Thanks!
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