bfuller1981

I went to my local FBO yesterday and talked with them about flight training and discussed with them where I'm at and what I need and what I'd like to get. We got down to the pricing end of things and the total price came out to 66K, that was to finish my ppl, get my instrument, commercial multi engine & SEL add on, multi-engine, CFI, CFII and MEI. They figured the price with all training after my ppl in a multi engine so I can build as much multi time as possible. If I did most everything in a single engine it would only be 6 grand less.

What I would like to know is, is this a reasonable price or should I look elsewhere? I wanted to go to this FBO cause its where my Dad got all his ratings and also where his CFI started out and worked for awhile before going to Amercia West/US Airways but 66K sounds like a lot from what I've read on here for an FBO thats over most of the "Academy" schools.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Slice

www.prairieairservice.com

You could do it for around half of what you were quoted above.

de727ups

That seems kinda high. I'd shop around if you have other local options. Doing most of your training in a twin is an expensive way to do it. It's hard to believe it's only 6K more than doing it in a single. I'd say they are charging too much for singles. Anyhow, there is something to be said for being able to train close to home, too.

bfuller1981

Yeah I have some other options I'm going to check at two other local places and see what they quote and post back about it also your are very correct about being able to train close to home and that particular place said they would hire me for MEI after I was all done if I chose to do all the training in a ME.

de727ups

"if I chose to do all the training in a ME."

I'm still not sold on the cost/benefit ratio of "doing all your training in an ME". Also, I wouldn't let a promise to get hired sway my decision. CFI jobs aren't that hard to come by and there are other ways to build multi time that might make more sense than "doing all your training in a twin".

An exception would be if you REALLY want to work at this place after you get your ratings, as opposed to maybe chasing around the country for a job. I never had any problems with being tied to a certain area, but not everyone is like that.

Slice

If you are single the best thing you can do to further your aviation career is be willing to move for a job. Trust me, being from NY I didn't want to live in KS for 3 years. It was the best thing I ever did for my career though. It would have taken me longer had I stayed 'home'.

Spartan07

And then you learned to love the great state of Kansas and began to wonder how you ever thought that it would be anything less than paradise living in the (self proclaimed) "Air Capital of the World" right?

Slice

It grows on you and there are certainly worse places to live. I wouldn't trade the friends and experiences I had there for anything. Now that I'm out of there though, I probably would never move back to the midwest. Sea or mountains from here on out.

the King

Not a fan of Kansas. I've never flown there, but the drive sucks.

I don't buy the need to do all ME training either. And it shouldn't cost 60K to do all that. Keep shopping.

withthatsaid182

That seems like an awful, but it all depends on your location and the airports location. If it is a busy airport the rates may be a little more competitive, if it is kind of out there, and they do not have a large student base they may raise the rates. I instruct in CT and NH and the number I've seen to go from private to cfi is around 30K. When I went through and got all my ratings I spent between 25k and 30k.
I would shop around some more, expect to pay a lot, but don't necessarily go for the cheapest option and go to some pilot factory. Best of luck.