Originally Posted by
kingsnake2
Sounds like they might be quoting you the FAA minimum required hours. Get a break down of the flight hours and costs per hour used to come up with that quote.
I work with US Aviation Academy in Denton, TX and no one ever finished in the FAA minimum time. Some people get fairly close if they study really hard, train full time (no breaks or anything), and naturally talented. Point is, it's rare.
A comfortable margin may be the FAA minimums +20%
True, but it's also relevant as to whether it's a 61 or 141 program (I'm guessing the later).
If it's 61 you need 250 hours to CPL and that's more than anyone needs to just prepare for the CPL checkride. This means that any "extra" hours need for PVT, IR, or even the CFI's can be counted towards the 250 CPL total. If one structured a program to be ready for CPL, CFI, and CFII checkrides at the 250 hour mark that might be reasonable for the typical commercial student. So what if the PPL too 50 instead of 40 hours.
If it's a 141 program, it's 190 to CPL (plus CFIs). 141 is highly structured and you do not have the flexibility to move hours around between the various programs so if (when) you go over on any rating you would eat that cost. It would also be very hard (but not impossible) to finish most or any 141 courses at the minimums.
I suspect that this is a 141 course and they "know" that you'll go over on every single module...$$$$$. I would do some research, especially talk to current students even if you have to hang out at the airport and bother them in the parking lot.