Helicopter Flight Information

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The Package Deals - Are they good for YOU?

I remember when I needed to get my helicopter instrument add-on; I was flying commercial fixed wing single pilot IFR, and I was as instrument current as I could ever have been. Still, all the schools I talked to were just interested in selling me their package deals which I neither needed nor wanted. Why? because these deals were good for them. But, this is not always true; sometimes these deals are good for you, the student. Why and When?

First the when - Package deals are always good for the student in the beginning some times; but only if you do not lose control of your money. Now understand that when I say 'you control your money', I don't mean that you don't pay the school for the package, but rather that you have a reasonable assurance that you will not be short-changed in some manner or the other. For example; what happens if you are able to complete your training in less time then the package program? Will you be refunded the difference? You should be. What if the school does not live up to their end of the deal? Do you lose your money? Are you forced to stay in a bad situation because you may lose money if you don't?

I have trained a number of students who did not want to give up more than a thousand or two at a time since they were afraid that they might lose in the long run. With as many cons as there are out there, I can certainly understand this. The problem was always the same though, they always ran short early and then we had to stop flying until their transfer came through. The best way to correct this problem is a signed contract between the student and the school which protects both parties. The student needs protection if the school fails to meet their obligations, and the school needs to be assured that if the student stops training early or does not study, they are not going to lose money since they made a package deal and probably discounted the hourly rate at least some.

To say the helicopter flight training business is extremely competitive would be a profound understatement. The fact is that competition is healthy even if competing businesses are located across the street or ramp; just some competitors can not deal with competition; they want to be the only deal in town. The sad part is that some schools in this case will be far less then truthful to get you to their school a perfect example of this is the cost comparison given by a particular large school with many locations, wow, what bullshit; Guess what school that is. Just call any competitor and you will see the lies told here.

The bottom line is that the student will always benefit from the package deal IF both parties are fair with one-another, unfortunately now-a-days that requires a signed contract because no one honors the hand-shake anymore. Students should always be on guard if the student/instructor/helicopter ratio is to tight; you just won't get no flight hours; it is no wonder training takes so long at these schools. Sometimes smaller is better.