American Aviation Academy Course Termination Issue

[kumaranps]

hi i am a student at American Aviation Academy San Diego California, i enrolled here for the full FAA 141 course,in june 2013 batch, but the planes here are mostly squaked and never available, when i wanted to opt out they say i have to pay $5000 course termination fee, what is the legal way to fight this is it the small claims court or any other options

[Sunnyjohn]

Here's your answer off their website:
Additional Charges
Prices are based on the minimum hour requirements to complete the training, in the lowest priced resource. It is not guaranteed you will complete your training in the minimum hours. Should you exceed any flight/ground hours, you will be responsible for the additional costs. Please plan and budget for any additional costs that may occur. Higher rates for aircraft upgrades may apply. Prices are subject to change without notice
Fuel surcharges may apply.


That's what you signed up for, buddy - an open-ended fee.

[fa2fi]

Is this the school formerly known as Anglo American based in El Cajon?

[Sunnyjohn]

Yes. If you google it, it gives you a company profile and a link to aaa.com. The link takes you to AAA at San Diego.

[Stocious]

That wasn't the question he asked Sunny...

[2close]

How many times do we read in this website (and others), check the contract carefully and whatever you do, DO NOT pay money up front.

If that is the only option they will give you then GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!! You will find someone who will provide a pay-as-you fly deal.

As for the legality of the situation, you need to take yourself together with your contract to a solicitor, layer, attorney, call them what you will, who specialises in contract law in the country in which the contract is binding - it should state in the contract that it is made in accordance with the laws of X,Y, Z, presumably the USA. In the USA, that may be State Law or Federal Law or both.

I don't know if you can get a free initial consultancy with an attorney in California but after that you will be paying for her (not 100% guaranteed but there tend to be less sharks of the female gender than the male) services and that may turn out to cost more than $5,000. You'll only find out when you talk to her (or him). You may be better off cutting your losses and bugging out but make sure any refunds are in your bank account before you leave!

I despair!! :ugh: We tell people 'DON'T pay up front and still it happens' and not always but far too often for comfort it all ends in tears! :uhoh:

But best of luck - I sincerely hope you get all or at least some of your money back.

[austin320]

Perform a Google search for "San Diego Aviation Attorneys". Call a couple and see what they suggest as a course of action. Probably a strongly worded "registered letter" or phone call will loosen up their wallet. They are counting on the fact that you are not a "local" and probably will not fight this.

Check your contract. There probably is wording that covers the event of extra time required for training but is there language that actually indicates no refunds for time or instruction not flown or used.

You mention they "told you" there is a "course termination fee". Does your contract actually have that clause or did they just verbally inform you.

If it's not in the contract, you are in a much better position.

Good luck....

[GabitzU]

The right person to discuss any course issue is Martin, Head of Training. He will sort out anything, as he appears very operative, plus he cares about the school reputation. If you were told about a course termination fee, you need to be pointed out on same over the Contract you signed with the school. As a general advise, always read word by word everything before you sign and try to have the contract fully clarified before enrolling the training.

[fa2fi]

Just curious. I remember in a previous pprune life (before I started flying, maybe around 2003/4), I posted asking about this school. The thread was immediately closed and I had a note from a mod saying "we do not discuss this school". Has anything changed (I assume yes as this thread is still going) or am I getting myself mixed up?

[IFly85]

Well Money Wise They are really transparent - I mean there have being some students who left the school without even paying thousands of dollars :O Only thing they say is to have a minimum of 300 USD maintained in your student account.

( I was very confident on that)

How ever the real confusion is when they charge you for ground hours ( pre de briefs) which has no outline....where you might end up getting charged even for the jokes which your instructor cracked....:}


Plus The other issue i had them was the fact that the instructors were clueless where & what students are upto - until the progress test come up or the student had finished all his time & cash...Thats was very disappointing. - and yes true the ac's are quite hagged - but maybe thats why its really cheap.

I don't think talking to martin would help you either - he is quite friendly & helpful but all the decisions are made by the Mr. Tom Hanawa ( The Boss ) Plus Martin is really clueless of the FAA standards as such..as in he is EASA.

He is quite understanding too - Just talk to him before you do anything after all.

But I remember when i signed it it said if you happen to leave the course you are to pay upto 25% fine to them. but not sure ...a faded dream !!


But Good Luck - you can easily change your I20 to another school if you are not happy....and if they are still tough on you... might well as put up a case...

[GabitzU]

I was in a situation to quit the EASA PPL course as well, and Martin was the 1st man to talk about. He said no problem. Then I went to Tom and he said also no problem, you are free to go. The thing was that I had already spent abt. $6k on training, so probably they considered it enough for not pursuing a 'course termination fee' on me. Tom said it may take up few weeks to be refunded, and I got back the $1k balance after 28 days.
Martin is not clueless at all on FAA matters, as he is an FAA examiner as well.

[IFly85]

well As per my experience Martin had given me very unrealistic time scale plus and hour requirements for my course and my instructor said he is clueless and they are having hard time dealing with students who have been given very ambitious contracts...its more like a lure....Anyways all is done now and nothing you can do..after all - you just burn your money anyway.. cos you cant struggle and try to make things better within 4 weeks.... sigh !!!

[Airbus Girl]

I think you need to give us more details about what you paid for, which course, what flying you have done etc. Have they said there are no aircraft available to fly? I did my PPL, IR, CPL and ATP with them when they were Anglo American and now I am an airline pilot flying Boeings in the UK, so they are not all bad!! They got me through all my courses in minimum time too. And no, I am not on commission!!!! :}