flight school question

[bigbash]

I'm currently a ppl student at Ottawa Aviation Services. i was tricked into paying a $2500.00 administrative fee under the guise of a deposit to be able to apply for flight training line of credit which i wasn't eligible to get. my question: is it customary for flight schools to charge $2500 admin fee? i would like to know because in the event i go to another flight school i wouldnt want to pay another $2500 admin fee.

for a little background, i was initially in the integrated ATPL program but since i wasnt eligible to get an RBC line of credit as it requires you to be working full time i switched to just getting my ppl and doing it modularly at my own pace. Any feedback would greatly be appreciated. i have emailed the admin and ceo and they pretty much stone wall me. if it isnt customary for flight schools to charge this much for an admin fee, anyone know any steps i could take to get that money back or to have them credit it back to my account so i could use it to continue my flight training. thats 17.7 hrs of solo flight hours on a c 172

Thanks

[AirFrame]

Not common at all. Make sure you get $2500 worth of instruction before leaving for a school that is more focussed on teaching you to fly than on raping your wallet.

[bigbash]

Thanks! it seems that the issue has been worked out

[love2fly14]

That does not sound legit IMO.
See if you can get your money back.
In my Opinion, try to find a job, save money and do it this way.

1. register for pilottraining. ca for ground school.
2.Gets your books and instruments online. you will be able to get all the kit for under 100$.
3.Find a school for your practice.
GL.

[B52]

I know the school in question and have no doubt that there was some misunderstanding about fees paid.
It's nice to see that the single post poster rapidly reposted that the matter was resolved.

Perhaps this is a post / thread that the moderator can remove

[stopbar]

It got resolved because it got public attention on AvCanada.

[jasmantle]

Back to your original question: No, it is not normal to be required to make a deposit of any kind. Some schools give you a credit of a few percent if you put an amount on deposit with them (and, sometimes, only if you don't make the deposit via credit card).

Depending on the type/cause of the "misunderstanding" you might consider whether you want to continue to do business with them. Especially if they would not listen to you prior to you going public with your complaint. There are several options in the Ottawa area.

Jim

[boogs82]

If I were you I'd put my money toward Rockcliffe Flying Club. Way more personal and you don't have the wait times flying out of Ottawa International Airport.

[DanWEC]

I know the school in question and have no doubt that there was some misunderstanding about fees paid.
It's nice to see that the single post poster rapidly reposted that the matter was resolved.

Perhaps this is a post / thread that the moderator can remove

I agree, I'm glad it got cleared up as there was obviously just a misunderstanding. I strongly doubt that admin had to be reached out to only via email, since middle and upper mgmt, and owners, are there on a daily basis.

I'm familiar with the school and anything like your issue would be news to me.

Cheers, enjoy the rest of your training! Summer is a great time there.