Faa test fee increase?

vikingair

vikingair

Well-Known Member
I have the Shepard Air ATP test program but have been to busy/lazy to use it so I have to get a password extension. On their website it says that CATS/LASERGRADE will increase their fees to $150 for a written exam beginning March 1st.

It doesn't say anything about this on the testing sites websites and AOPA says the price increase begins April. Anyone have any conformation? If its March 1st then I know what I'll be doing this week!
 
My friend told me about it so he's getting his PAR written out of the way this weekend. $90 was a bit ridiculous for taking a test on a computer running windows 95, and 150 is just absurd.
 
My past 2 test have both costed 100 bucks each. I have no clue why they charge so much for these test. The computers that they are taken on are pieces of junk and it is a standardized test. There is no super high tech equipment involved or anything. I would love to see where all of the money went.
 
Supposedly there are new monitoring and training requirements being imposed on the testing companies so they'll need to expand staff. I'm not sure if this is just for FAA tests but really..$150 to basically download a free govt product is getting absurd. The GUI is horrendous and some of the testing facilities Ive been to haven't been anything special..an old terminal in a dirty dingy room.

So far Ive seen both 3/1 and 4/1 as the day this takes affect but just got off teh phone with Shepard Air and I'm back in business. Get er done! BTW..they have great service and I'll get in line behind the other people who recommend them.
 
Its funny you ask, I just took my CFII and was told about the up and coming fee increase. It was my first time taking CATS I have always done LaserGrade in the past. I thought LaserGrade was like Windows 95 status, I would give CATS a Windows 2000 lol. But it is getting insane. The markup on this stuff is too much these tests should be 50 bucks max.
 
Sheppard Air is amazing, it is hands down the easiest, most effective way to pass any test I did my CFI CFII and FOI tests with their prep.
 
I thought the whole point of making a 1st medical valid for 1 year if you're under 40 is so that young pilots can afford flight training, now they are increasing writtens? It's a good thing i have all (except for ATP) but talk about contradicting oneself.
 
Muff3n said:
My past 2 test have both costed 100 bucks each. I have no clue why they charge so much for these test. The computers that they are taken on are pieces of junk and it is a standardized test. There is no super high tech equipment involved or anything. I would love to see where all of the money went.
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The testing facility that buys the computers, only gets about $10 bucks from that fee.

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Edit: We are trying to get our students through before the increase. If I remember I will ask tomorrow when the increase happens.
 
Douglas said:
The testing facility that buys the computers, only gets about $10 bucks from that fee.

----
Edit: We are trying to get our students through before the increase. If I remember I will ask tomorrow when the increase happens.
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My previous place of employment was also a testing center. They bought old outdated computers for about $30 a pop from a county auction..I think they had been used previously at the JobCorp or the unemployment office and were probably about 5 years old. I was tasked with attacking each terminal with a rag and a bottle of ammonia. Rubbing away years whatever the funk that funk was embedded in the plastic from being touched by every person looking for work was like uncovering the secrets to Tutunkammon's tomb.
 
It's £150 in the UK ($230, which stings a bit when you're taking the FOI), but then that is Flight Safety for you, I thought there would be a limit on what the test center could charge so that Lasergrade etc could get their fee, but agreed, especially if you're essentially retaking IRA to get IGI etc, it's pretty steep.

Alex.
 
The tests used to be given for free at any FSDO or FSS. Then it changed to the current system of test providers. The practical tests, even at the private pilot level used to also be given for free by FAA inspectors. It is just window to the future of what will happen with more "user fees". Paying for written and practical tests from examining stations or pilot examiners is just another way of offloading work to other who charge their own de facto user fee.
 
The fees do increase on March 1st.


"Due to the stringent requirements identified in the new Order, an ODA Compliance Fee of $50 per exam will be charged effective March 1, 2010 to each testing applicant. This fee is in addition to the price of the test. Because there will be some additional responsibilities to the testing centers, $15 of the Compliance fee shall be retained by or paid to the test sites to help offset any costs associated with complying with the current or future Order 8080.6 and/or Order 8100.15 Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). These proceeds will help ensure that both you and the ODA Holders (currently called CTDs) are able to fully meet all new responsibilities and obligations. The fee is separate from and in addition to the price of the test."
 
First off, BOHICA with the $$$.

Why does it need to be a $50 dollar increase? I can not see where an ENITRE 50 more dollars can go for a test that gets edited every single year. Now, a 10-20 dollar increase I can live with and stuff but 50 dollars?
 
Dynasty22 said:
First off, BOHICA with the $$$.

Why does it need to be a $50 dollar increase? I can not see where an ENITRE 50 more dollars can go for a test that gets edited every single year. Now, a 10-20 dollar increase I can live with and stuff but 50 dollars?
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Ouch. I guess I'm taking the FOI, CFI-A, CFI-G, IGI, AGI, and C-ASEL's next week. $480 in tests -ouch. But at least I'll be saving $300...
 
vikingair said:
Supposedly there are new monitoring and training requirements being imposed on the testing companies so they'll need to expand staff.
Click to expand...

The boss is perplexed by this because March 1st is coming fast and nothing has changed or in our local pipeline for change.
 
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