Examinership for Pilot Training Centre

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is to meet with representatives from the families of trainee pilots whose course was abruptly terminated recently.

The move comes as the Waterford-based college at the centre of a financial dispute which led to the course being terminated was granted examinership by the High Court.

Approximately 80 students at the Florida Institute of Technology were left without classes when a financial dispute arose between the institute and the Pilot Training College (PTC).

The appointment of Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton as examiner is a first step in restructuring the firm.

The High Court was told by an independent accountant that the company has a ‘reasonable prospect of survival’.

A number of parties have indicated an interest in investing in the restructured enterprise and Mr McAleer will meet with the parties and with the Irish Aviation Authority to discuss the restoration of the company’s license.

Mr Justice Brian McGovern set a further hearing date for Thursday, July 26th.

The pilots, their sponsors and family members, today staged a protest outside Leinster House calling on the Government to offer assistance to the “self-financing” trainees who had paid up to €86,000 to complete their course.

Representatives from the recently-formed Pilot Training College Action Group are to meet with Mr Varadkar and the IAA’s chief executive on Friday.

The group will also meet with members from the Garda Fraud Squad later that day.

About 60 people attended today's protest with many urging the Government to ensure that individual pilots who were privately funded can finish their training without any additional cost.

Mairead Jennings from Leap, Co Cork, whose son Thomas was among those to be left stranded following the dispute, said the family had paid €84,875 to Waterford Pilot College. She estimated that about €24,000 of this had legitimately been spent on her son's training.

"There's a balance of about €64,000 owed to us which is gone and Thomas is left unable to complete his training. This has now gone on for three weeks and at this stage we feel there has to be compensation and accountability for what has gone wrong," she said.

Catherine Kerr from Dundalk, Co Louth, whose son Jamie was also affected by the dispute, said: "These kids are all devastated after what has happened to them and the PTC just can't get away with what they have done. Not once have they spoken to the parents about this. They walked away from the kids in Florida and did absolutely nothing for them," she said.

"I've rang them (the college) every day and we can't get hold of anyone and the Government seems content to let them walk away without even a slap. We're not going to let this lie though," she said.

"People are under the impression that this is all about rich kids but that's not the case. We've mortgaged our houses and rearranged our finances to pay for their training and it is time for the Government to do something for the lads," Ms Kerr added.

One of the students affected by the dispute who wished to remain nameless told The Irish Times he had five weeks of training to complete.

"I've been left in limbo and can't do anything until I can get money to advance further," he said.

"I think there are steps the Government to do such as providing us with alternative course providers and I really hope that something good can come out of Friday's meeting.

Independent TD Finian McGrath, who met with the protesters, said more pressure should be put on the Pilot Training Course to explain their situation and come up with a solution. He also called upon the IAA to be more proactive on the issue.

"I take the point that you can't have taxpayers bailing people out all the time but this is a very unjust thing to happen to these young pilots and I'd urge Mr Varadkar to listen to them and do his best to support them."