Rainbow Air - Guaranteed Training, too good to be true?

I've been looking around for helicopter and possibly combined with
fixed-wing training. I came across Rainbow Air which seems to have a
very unique program but sounds a little bit too good to be believable.
However it seems as though the operation has a good reputation in the
industry.

http://www.rainbowair.com/academy_ctp.htm

They are asking $60k, up front, for 13 licenses, including 450 rotary
hours + 350 fixed-wing. 100 of the rotary hours they claim will be
turbine hours, with a pilot who flies for TV reporting who is selling
his working hours to pilots who want to gain PIC time. Also, fixed
wing hours as co-pilot in an air ambulance...Program also includes an
"internship" which I believe means you instruct (for free) while
staying a student for insurance reasons.

So, the red flags are obvious. Guarantees, surprisingly enticing
extras, payment in advance. However, you are instructing for free,
cost seems to be about $10k over theoretical minimums for ratings.

Can anybody comment on whether they think such a deal is feasible?
What about the reputation of Rainbow Air? What about my reluctance to
pay any school (good rep or not) in advance without some kind of
insurance (since flight schools have been known to shut down without
refunding tuition).

If they guarantee your ratings and charge a flat fee, you can game the system
by not flying "all that well", and racking up lots of hours. Eventually they
are close to free hours. Are you then "flying for hire" like the pilot who did
free banner tows?

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

On 2003-12-06 14:28:05 -0800, (dsfcal) said:

I came across Rainbow Air which seems to have a
very unique program but sounds a little bit too good to be believable.

Remember: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Program also includes an
"internship" which I believe means you instruct (for free) while
staying a student for insurance reasons.

What do you live on while you're working for free?

What about my reluctance to
pay any school (good rep or not) in advance without some kind of
insurance (since flight schools have been known to shut down without
refunding tuition).

Remain reluctant. If you decide to go their direction, negotiate a deal
that you pay no more than a couple thousand up front. $60k is more than
a lot of people see in two years of working. You don't want to lose that
kind of cash.

And I'd highly recommend that you not start your career by working for free.
You will endear yourself to nobody - including the people you're working for.

--
Larry Fransson
Seattle, WA