Upfront payment/pay as you go- Coastal Pacific Flight School

[whoami95]

Good day everyone,

Hope all are staying safe in this pandemic. I have been researching on some schools in Canada to pursue my CPL. I believe most of the schools practice “pay and you go” but there is one by the name of Coastal Pacific Aviation in the British Columbian province that is asking for a $5000 initial deposit which will be used for my flight training subsequently. They mentioned after the initial deposited money is used up, then I can pay as I go with no minimum amount. Am not sure but I see a red flag there. Need your 2 cents on this and any reviews on this school pls do let me know.

Cheers

[Bede]

Coastal Pacific is a reputable school, but the general rule is NEVER pay up front.

[PilotDAR]

I have no knowledge of that school, so my comment is general:

Any other business I deal with expects payment for the service (or product) around the time it's provided - fair enough. I don't go out for dinner at a new restaurant, and expect to pay for the first twenty meals up front. If a business would like me to be an investor, that's a different thing. You might choose to make an investment, and accept that risk, in return for an anticipated profit you feel would be worthwhile. I doubt that you'd invest without the prospect of a profit, or other attractive return on your investment.

But, being a student, and being an investor are two very distinct relationships with the business. 'Doesn't mean you can't do them both at once, but they are still separate - you can be one, without being the other. If not.... red flags....

[PRpilot]

Yes, never pay upfront. I did because I had student loans and the school said I had to. Unfortunately, they went out of business before I finished my training.

[“Bob”]

Ask for it to be put into a trust account via a notary.

Should be nothing to worry about if their intentions are honourable.

It’s not up to you to be an investor in their organization with 100% risk and zero return.

[Canuck1988]

Don't know if that information is accurate. I haven't heard of a $5000 dollar min requirement.

They do have a $1000 on account policy in order to fly. I believe that is only to protect them from someone coming back from a flight and not paying. You can get that money back at any time, and I've never heard of anyone having issues getting it back.

If you wanted to fight with them about it, I wonder if you could give them $1000 dollars before each flight and then ask for whatever is remaining back after the flight