I visited a pilot careers fair where I got to speak to AFTA. I explained my fears of integrated schools collapsing during training. They said that due to another ATO having folded and leaving students in a sticky situation previously, the Irish Aviation Authority has since ensured that Irish schools have regular financial checks (every year i think?) to ensure that the school can actually deliver to its paying customers/students.
Hats off to the IAA for at least attempting to discharge their responsibility to ensure ATOs have sufficient funding. UK candidates should note that the UK CAA deny that they are required to do this, despite it being laid out in black and white in UK legislation. The IAA require statements and documents from the Accountable Manager thus...
"I understand that...
- I am responsible for ensuring that all activities can be financed and carried out in accordance with the applicable operational and regulatory requirements;
- The Authority may require my organisation to demonstrate in a written submission that sufficient funds are available to continue to meet the terms of approval, or proposed amendments;
- A Financial Statement signed by the Approval Training Organisation's (ATO) bankers or auditors must accompany the ATO business plan and be submitted with this form.
- A Financial Statement may be required at any time if the Authority deems that all activities or proposed activities cannot be financed and carried out in accordance with the applicable operational and regulatory requirements. "