Dallas wrote:
I was just checking the rental terms at an FBO in the city I plan to visit
over Christmas.

I've got most of my hours in the type I wanted to rent and the FBO said
they want 3 takes offs and landings, then a power on and power off stall.
They charge the time to do this as dual.

I can see 20 minutes of landings, then a climb to do the power on and off
stalls... depending on traffic, it seems like it would take .75 to 1.0 dual
hobbs time. Basically, I'd spend more money on the checkride than I
intended to spend on the actual flight.

Is this a little stiff or is it the normal practice?


That's not uncommon at all. After all, they don't know you
from Adam so they want to make sure you are in fact a safe
and competent pilot before they rent you an airplane.

Once you are checked out you will be able to rent from them
anytime.