BALPA flags lax oversight of failing flight schools
Pilots union BALPA flagged the collapse of three UK flight schools this year, calling on the Civil Aviation Authority to take action.
It calls for proper financial regulation of flight schools as some trainees are likely to lose thousands of pounds.
Students who paid in advance were left seriously out of pocket when Tayside Aviation and FTA Global collapsed.
BALPA says some are owed up to £90,000, which they are unlikely to see from the liquidators.
The BALPA campaign calls for limiting advance payments or ‘deposits’ to £5000 and payment by credit card must always be available.
This will limit financial risk to trainees.
The CAA must review its oversight procedures for flight schools in order to achieve proper compliance.
It also wants the agency to consider a consumer protection scheme similar to ATOL that would protect student pilot funds.
BALPA Interim General Secretary Miranda Rackley said: “Flight schools going bust is financially devastating to students who deserve to have their money better protected.”
Pilot training is amongst the most expensive training of all professions with no student funding available.”
“Many trainees resort to family support, such as remortgaging family houses.”
Government needs to step up and protect students that are so vital to the future of the UK aviation industry.”
The association says a stable pilot training pipeline is essential for the UK aviation industry.
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