Choosing a Flight School

[James35355]

I need help choosing a flight school located in Montreal.. I am currently looking at Academy of Aeronautics.
Someone said I should not pay the down payment of 15000 that they ask for but isn't it a requirement to do so? If not why?
Is it a good school? Please help
Looking forward to some replies, Thank you

[North Shore]

So you give them $15K today, and they go out of business tomorrow (not saying that's going to happen...) and what happens to your $15,000? Well, you might get it back after a lot of hassle and lawyering, but then again, you might not, and so you're out $15k of hard-earned money.

Pay as you go for your flying. If they insist, either go somewhere else, or give them the amount you could afford to lose ($500? Maybe $1000?) and keep a positive balance as you fly.

DO NOT GIVE THEM $15,000 UP FRONT

Good luck.

[Cat Driver]

Never ever pay in advance to any school.

Do you pay your gas station in advance for several months of gas?

[Black_Tusk]

I paid per flight. Finished the flight, paid with my CC. Banked my points, paid off the CC promptly.

Don't prepay.

[James35355]

Ahh I see....hmmmmm
Thanks guys [@north shore, cat diver, black tusk]

[James35355]

UPDATE:
They insist that I pay it and said its their college regulations

[LousyFisherman]

UPDATE:
They insist that I pay it and said its their college regulations

So don't go there. There are lots of flight schools around.

HTH
LF

[James35355]

Okay LousyFisherman
That quote is funny cause its so accurate btw

[Beefitarian]

Unless you often go to a Casino and lose more than that in a night. Then when they close and take your money it won't be that big a deal.

[final28]

+1
Don't pay any more up front than you could afford to lose.
Not only are you at risk if the school goes out of business but you might have a world of trouble should you decide to change schools for whatever reason.
There is every possibility that you'd have problems getting your money back in that situation.
If you pay any significant amount up front make very sure you know under what circumstances you could get that money back.

[James35355]

Okay thanks a lot guys
I wont be going there. I've chosen Moncton flight college. What theyre offering is great

[Future_Sunwing_pilot]

Don't pay anything upfront unless it's a college like Seneca or Confederation otherwise their taking your money and if they see your paying they will want to take more, they will often say you're not ready to solo, my friend logged 80 hours for PPL and they kept telling him to pay more for dual, i try to stay away from flight schools, i'm going to Confederation in a few years because that way i know that your getting 200 hours there no more no less and instructors in college they will push you unlike instructors in flight schools.

[James35355]

Thanks for this advice Future_sunwing_pilot. A lot of these flight schools are really corrupt

[DinaEgypt1988]

I don't recommend dealing with it. In fact anyone whom lookig for studies should avoid this academy.
There website is full of fraud information such as we grant job & permenant residence which are both lies.
My personal experience the most aggressive & rude academy I have dealed with. They only ask for the 15 thousand dollars in advance and hung up the phone on your face if you ask for any information such as hiring, flying costs, their admission will treat you as bag of crap. will never get back to you for week and two and if you try to reach people in charge they will only say no. not now. tomorrow. Last time i asked to call the owner they yelled at my face. never ever want anyone go through what i have been.