Originally Posted by
JohnBurke
That is not a standard practice, and it's a big, red flag. Avoid that operation. Requesting money up front is one thing; making it non-refundable is unacceptable. and serves as a warning. Don't go there.
Don't go to any school until you've researched it, spoken with students and ex-students, and have visited to see the condition of the facilities and the aircraft.
When I was a young pup I was personally involved in not one but two schools that did this very thing. In both cases the schools suspended operations and the owners absconded with the students' money. Absolutely do not turn control of your entire flight training funds over to a flight school regardless of how reputable they seem.