Paying up front is always a very very bad idea ! Never ever pay up front. I am currently at a professional flying school and they refuse to take any monies up front. My training account must remain in credit at all times though, so I pay 500 pounds at a time. In the unlikely event of the company going under my losses will be, relatively speaking, small. While escrow accounts sound interesting, I keep my money in my bank account earning some interest for me until I need it.
£25,000 sounds like a tad on the lowside, check to make sure that all the other costs have been included. You can easily factor in another £3,000 for CAA exam test and general fees also up to £2,500 for Nav and landing fees. Also add your living costs as well, these can and will mount up to more than you ever thought possible, could be from £5,000 to £10,000 depending on how you live.
Whatever you decide, best of luck. It is hard work all the way, but hopefully worth it in the end.
[ 11 January 2002: Message edited by: Flypuppy ]</p>