Trading difficulties blamed for stranding of 80 trainee pilots
Trading difficulties are being blamed for the stranding in Florida of 80 trainee Irish pilots, who after forking out €83,000 for training, have been told their course is being halted, .
The trainees — who had paid fees to the Waterford-based Pilot Training Centre of Ireland — were told 10 days ago by the Florida Institute of Technology Aviation (FIT) they were not allowed into the air again.
They were later told FIT’s contract with the training centre was terminated. FIT provides the training courses in association with PTC.
The students pay their fees upfront to PTC who pass on the agreed rates to FIT. It is not known whether the payments agreed between both sides have been paid out.
PTC has tried to lay the blame for the fiasco at the door of FIT, saying the termination of the course follows "a lengthy period of negotiation during which PTC attempted to have FIT deliver on training contracts in a timely and professional manner".
They say the problems between both sides were created by the "non-delivery of services by FIT".
"Due to FIT’s non-performance this has had a direct impact on PTC and its students, both in the US and also in Ireland. PTC has put FIT on notice of litigation regarding a breach of contract claim," PTC CEO, Mike Edgeworth said.
The students and their families have no idea whether their fees are to be returned. In recent days, they were told they had to leave their campus accommodation before the middle of this month.Their visas will also expire shortly afterwards.
As part of the course, trainees are sent to Florida — where better weather conditions mean better visibility — for 10 months’ training before returning to Dublin, Waterford, or Cambridge in England for another four months before sitting exams.
It is believed PTC’s Florida offices were closed earlier this week.
PTC Ireland could not be contacted at the time of writing, but emails have been sent from PTC chief executive Mike Edgeworth to the students, reassuring them they were "continuing to work towards a solution to these difficulties".
"PTC is in active negotiations with an alternative provider and we have informed FIT that this is our intention," he said. "We are unable to provide any further information at this time, as these negotiations are delicate."
One mother said her son was told "it would cost him €60,000 to continue his training in another Florida aviation school". He started training late last year.
Fianna Fáil senator Denis O’Donovan said: "Young people had been taken advantage of by the company...The minister and the Irish Aviation Authority must be held accountable."
The IAA, which regulates, approves, and oversees flight training organisations, has held discussions with PTC and FIT.
"An officer of the IAA is meeting with PTC Waterford representatives to clarify the situation at the training facility," said a spokeswoman.
"We will endeavour to facilitate the crediting of all flight and ground training carried out so far in Florida towards qualifications. The IAA hopes that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved to enable students to complete their training."
