Flight School Security Awareness Training for Aircraft and Simulators

October 26, 2004
Scenarios – Flight School with Airplanes

Question
An individual approaches you about taking flying lessons so she can get her pilots license. You sit down with the woman and explain the procedures and time frame for the flight school. After filling out the appropriate paperwork she hands you a wad of cash to pay for all lessons in advance.

Answer
In this scenario your first response should be to question the student. Do this casually, “My, that certainly is a lot of cash to be carrying around?” or, “Don’t you have a bank account, or a checking account?” Inform a supervisor of the presence of a lot of cash on the premises. What constitutes “a lot of cash” should be determined locally. Keep in mind this is a situation dependent scenario. For example, if the student is only enrolling in a private pilot course, the total fee for this would normally be less than $5,000. Some flight schools offer discounts for prepayment or buying “blocks” of airplane time. So, it may not be unusual for a person to pay in cash. However, the situation should be viewed with greater care if the student is enrolling in a complete professional pilot course. A complete professional pilot training course may include training all the way through to a Commercial Flight Instructor (CFI) rating with perhaps a jet transition and high-altitude endorsement. Total tuition costs for such a course may exceed $40– 50K per student. If a student brings that much cash in all at once and prepays the entire cost of the course there is not only reason for concern, but there is also reason to immediately contact your supervisor. A cash out-lay of this magnitude by a single individual should raise red flag warnings that something may be amiss. It is better to err on the side of caution.

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