Flying students out of pocket
An international flight student is terrified her pilot career has ‘‘crashed and burned’’ after her flying school went into liqudation, owing her more than $6000.
Middle Earth Flying School, in Matamata, trading as Aviation New Zealand, went into liquidation on August 29 owing staff more than $40,000 in outstanding wages and holiday pay. Liquidators are still processing student claims.
A Middle Earth Flying School student, who didn’t want to be named, said on top of NZQA fees many students were also required to pay a deposit that they were told would be given back to them at the end of their course.
‘‘I’m quite depressed, because we are all out here by ourselves — we’re all international student — and have absolutely no idea where to go and who to ask for help,’’ she said. ‘‘They owe me about $6300, which I paid before I started in 2018. I’ve heard there’s a few students who didn’t have to pay the deposit and that they also gave different rates for different students.
‘‘Whoever has paid that deposit hasn’t got it back because the school account is in zeros. The liquidator said they will have to sell all the school’s property and whatever money they get they can then give back to the students.’’
She was not hopeful of getting paid.
‘‘All of us are just sitting and waiting to see if some miracle will happen.’’
Insolvency practitioner Steven Khov earlier told that liquidators were unsure about exact amounts owing, but said Inland Revenue and staff were also creditors.
Although the student was initially in shock about the liquidation, she said there were a number of issues going on at the school.
‘‘On several occasions I spoke with the school and said, ‘book me a flight, book me an exam,’ and they would reply to me saying, ‘Oh we can’t book you, we don’t have an aircraft available, we don’t have slots available’.’’
The student hasn’t heard of any school buying out Middle Earth Flying School, but said liquidators have recommended they transfer to Ardmore Flying School in Papakura.