That question has already been answered: economics. They charge what the market will bear, and wouldn't be in business long if they didn't.

Lets examine that thought.

Low time low paid instructor takes ten hours to get student up to test standard.

10 hours x $353.00 = $3530.00 (Their advertized Beech Dutchess price. )

Pay an experienced capable instructor an extra $50.00 per hour.

5 hours x $403.00 = $2015.00

There is another slant on economics, get a reputation for excellence in training and the market will come to you.

When I was in the training business I charged a very high price for each hour I taught and had a steady flow of clients who sought out my training.

I just don't buy the lowest common denominator when it comes to what a business charges, quality costs more and there are lots of people who will pay for quality.

Well, maybe you should buy a Duchess and charge $2000/hr for training in it. Clearly the higher price coupled with your experience would mean excellent value for your students... Not to mention you could pay for your Duchess with the extra.

There is a point at which the market will bear no more, and while short term perturbations will happen from time to time as people try to push that limit, they'll get knocked back by market pressures soon enough.

I did my CPL and Multi-IFR with Langley Flying School in 2011 and 2012. My previous training and hour building was in the US and Europe, so I've seen a few schools - and LFS is definitely the best one I've trained with so far.

LFS is a small but professional school with great instructors and a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. No fancy uniforms or paint jobs - they focus on teaching you to fly and they do a great job. Their planes are typical school planes - older but safe and fine for training.

Langley airport is a good training location: complex airspace around but traffic delays are rare, practice area right next to the airport, and a rather short runway to improve your landing skills.
The only drawback: expect training delays due to periods of bad weather, in particular in winter.

I can absolutely recommend Langley Flying School. Go and check it out if you have a chance.

Hey Mate, relating to your situation I was in the same place few years back when I was desperate to fulfill my dream and my personal social life (earning and paying my flying expenses), Very dilemmatic situation where your one decision can put you in Big financial trouble, Thanks to, my one friend he introduced me to LFS (Langley Flying School) I started visiting this school to know how is it , friend I am not going to be influenced with the Building of a school rather I will prefer a place where I can get best Theoretical and Practical knowledge, luckily I found LFS and started my training out there I was very happy with the way their instructors work with you they just empathies with you and your situation because I was working and doing my flight training as well so I had always a tight schedule for my work and my training so that I can manage both the things simultaneously. Initially my instructor was Ben, again he was trained from LFS itself he had full idea what he was teaching to me right now he is flying for Jazz Air LP and Air Canada as Co-pilot, then when he left I joined second instructor, Justin even he got his initial training from LFS itself and became instructor out there right now he is working for Pacific Coastal Airlines. Then after completing my CPL I joined Multi-IFR in LFS as well started training with Philip, he was also the former student of LFS, a very good instructor ,he also joined some airlines don’t know which one right now. Then got chance to get trained by School owner and a very good human being Mr. David Parry I personally found him a gem of a guy. he did all his very best to train me so that I can become a good pilot, it was a very -very good experience to get trained by him, also got very good knowledge of places where we can start working after completing our Flight training. I joined Buffalo Airways ... from there I realized the only thing matters is your theoretical knowledge and practical experience which you earn during your training , that’s only thing is going to save your passengers and crew members not anything else .
I will recommend you for Langley Flying School.
Best wishes