I recently relocated for a job and I have been searching around the area for some flight training facilities. I came across a flight club that has a few CFIs as members and it sounds pretty enticing. I was just curious if anyone has any experience with this route and has any advice, positive or negative, that I may be overlooking at this point. The cost of an IR is similar to what I was quoted at my previous FBO. Here's the reply e-mail I received.

"Here is our breakout. You need a minimum of 40 hours simulated instrument (hood time), 20 which must be dual to qualify for your Instrument Rating. So interestingly enough, I can use the same breakout table for the IFR as the Private. Fuel is priced at $5.40/gallon currently. Here are some of our selling points:

1. People: Club members help each other out as safety pilots. We have members from the airlines, air-force, and ex-charter pilots. You can learn much faster when flying with an instrument rated safety pilot, rather than a private pilot.
2. Aircraft: We have a C172RG which is a good airplane to give you a little extra challenge during your instrument training. The extra speed and complexity will help develop your IFR skills to a higher level and prepare you for bigger, faster, more complex aircraft. Our PA32-300 (Cherokee Six) does the same. So you can "practice like you play" and be ready to take that IFR trip to Florida in the Cherokee Six with your family.
3. Hangars: All of our aircraft are hangared, so you can preflight out of the elements on your IFR days.

Private Pilot / Instrument Pilot item qty type unit price total
C172 40 hours 1 $ 69.00 $ 2,760.00
Dual Instruction 20 hours 1 $ 40.00 $ 800.00
Ground Instruction 20 hours 1 $ 40.00 $ 800.00
Club Dues 4 months 1 $ 150.00 $ 600.00 club dues $150/month Total Aircraft Costs $ 4,960.00
Free Flight Hours 8




Fuel Costs 48 hours 7 $ 5.40 $ 1,814.40 C172 fuel burn 7 gal/hr Total Estimated Cost $ 6,774.40







Breakout
Per Month 12 hours $ 1,693.60


Some of the things I thought of right away are cost of books. I already own the Jeppesen IR/COMM bookset, so hopefully they also use Jepp products. The cost of the checkride and associated rental would also be an additional cost. Their rental rates seem on par, but the rates I'm used to are usually wet rates.

C172 Dry $69/hour
C172RG Dry $89/hour
PA28-140 Dry $59/hour

As mentioned in the e-mail they also have a Cherokee 6 to rent. Their aircraft seem very well maintained and all have nice IFR equipment, and since I'm an A&P he mentioned in a later e-mail that maybe we could work something out for their MX.

Thanks.

 

Hmm.. that didn't copy & paste over quite right, but you get the picture...