From: geoff@peck.com (Geoff Peck)
Subject: Re: "Guaranteed" IFR training package
Organization: Geoffrey G. Peck, Consultant, San Jose CA
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 07:52:21 GMT

In article <1992Oct5.110420.1@pomona.claremont.edu
jhenderson@pomona.claremont.edu writes:
> I learned of a local FBO's "guaranteed" program to obtain the instrument
> ticket. For $2,995 they guarantee you will pass the checkride, no matter
> how many hours it takes. [...]  So my question is... does it sound like
> a good deal? I can't find anything wrong with this package.

Well, if it sounds like too good a deal, there's probably something wrong.
Let me suggest a few ways in which such a fixed-price training deal might
go wrong:

(1) The FBO has a strong incentive to get you through in the minimum
    time, so that's precisely what they'll do.  Frequently, flight
    instructors at such schools are given an incentive "do it in 42 hours,
    and you get a $50 bonus; do it in 46 or more 3 times and you're out."
    You may even have a school with part 141 authorization who'll get you
    through in 35 hours.

(2) Sometimes the school has a "captive" designated examiner.  You
    can make your own guesses as to how standardized the check ride might be,
    and how well you'll be trained for _that_ particular check ride.  Nothing
    _illegal_ here, just, um, shady.

(3) If you don't "do your homework", the FBO may say "you didn't live
    up to your end of the deal -- so you'll have to pay more."  And it's
    completely up to the FBO to determine if you did your homework.  Don't
    laugh.  I've heard direct reports of this happening at several FBOs in
    the Bay Area who offered fixed-price deals -- fortunately, these places
    no longer exist.

(4) The airplane which is used for the $2,995 special will be down
    for an extended period, or heavily booked.  "Oh, you want to use a
    different airplane?  Fine, but we'll have to charge you an extra
    $20/hour."

(5) The FBO goes out of business before you complete your rating.
    Sorry, they're bankrupt.  You lose your money.

(6) You get assigned to an instructor you absolutely can't stand.
    Doesn't bathe more than once every two weeks, can't explain anything,
    won't let you wear headsets.  And, of course, the FBO won't let you
    switch instructors -- and won't give you a refund.

Now, sometimes, these fixed-price deals work out.  But sometimes they don't.
Check it out _very_thoroughly_.  Remember, the FBO is getting to hold your
money for a (possibly extended) period, and by giving your money to them up
front, you lose your ability to make decisions independently and virtually
all of your leverage with the FBO.

For obvious reasons, you also can be just about guaranteed that you'll
receive the minimum amount of training -- that extra 10 hours you'd like to
use to get in some actual instrument time won't come as part of the deal.

Personally, I'd suggest that you pay as you go.  It might cost you more in
the end, but you'll still have control over the situation, and you won't get
burned.

The situation is probably not quite as severe with a quickie weekend multi
course, since that rating is over and done with in a very short period of
time.  However, the training you get in such a course will not make you a
good multi pilot.  It will get you your ticket, and that's that.

					    Geoff
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