On 1 Mar 2005 17:32:19 -0800, "Michael"
wrote:

Our local FBO charges $25/hr for the simulator, which is typical. So
let's knock off $500 from the $4000 charge. At $33/hr, we're looking
at paying for 100+ hours of dual before we hit $3500, and we haven't
even started on the accomodations or travel costs.


Well, this analysis (?) overlooks a key point. The total aircraft
costs, a major cost of the rating, is not going to be the same.

The total cost of the aircraft is key when you are comparing the two
modes, since an accelerated course will undoubtedly use fewer aircraft
hours than the less efficient spread-out version, at least in my
experience, and I've done a number of ratings both ways.

Add 20 hours of aircraft time (minimum, in my estimation, because of
all the rehash, and startup overhead) and you've added $2000 right out
of the shoot. Even if the student owns his aircraft, the fuel costs
are considerable.

And yes, I have seen 100 under-the-hood-hour pilots without a rating.

On a personal note, for what it is worth, I stopped doing ratings on
a non-accelerated basis, partly because it was so frustrating
revisiting stuff that gets forgotten between sessions, and the
built-in inefficiencies , even thought the dragged-out version in the
long run means more revenue to me.

I'll add another point. Anyone who does not spend 20 hours in a
simulator before getting into an aircraft is also spending a lot more
than he needs to.